This feature film incorporates live action footage with animation to tell the curious story of 18 cows. Acquired by a Palestinian community in the late 1980s, the cows were a symbol of freedom and resistance, providing milk for the Palestinian residents of Beit Sahour so that they would not rely on Israeli producers. Soon the illegal cows, cherished by the Palestinians, were being sought by the Israeli army as a threat to security. With humour and passion, this film captures the spirit of the 1987 uprising through the personal experiences of those who lived it.
Ideal for introducing students to political resistance, conflict resolution and the Israeli/Palestinian peace process. Use examples from the film to explain the concepts of civil disobedience and non-violent resistance. Explain the political motivations behind the Israeli army’s attempts to find the cows. Was the cow farming ultimately successful for the Palestinians’ political goals? Why or why not? Research other cases of non-violent resistance, and provide examples of success and failure of such resistance.