First Cow
dir. Kelly Reichardt · 2020
True connection and collaboration can lead to unexpected success and fulfillment, even in the face of adversity.
Plot
In the 1820s, a taciturn loner and skilled cook travels west to Oregon Territory, where he meets a Chinese immigrant also seeking his fortune. Soon the two team up on a dangerous scheme to steal milk from the wealthy landowner’s prized Jersey cow—the first, and only, in the territory.
Why watch
"First Cow" offers a poignant exploration of friendship and ambition against the backdrop of 1820s Oregon, where the delicate balance between survival and morality unfolds around a singular cow. With its contemplative pacing and lush visuals, this film invites viewers to reflect on the fragility of dreams and the bonds that unite us.
Talking points
- the morality of survival
- friendship across cultural divides
- the impact of class in early America
- the essence of community in isolation