'Rams' is a 2020 Australian comedy-drama film directed by Jeremy Sims. The movie stars Sam Neill, Michael Caton, and Miranda Richardson in leading roles.
The film is set in a remote Western Australian sheep farming community where two brothers, Colin and Les (played by Michael Caton and Sam Neill, respectively), have not spoken to each other in decades. The brothers are bitter rivals and have divided their family farm into two separate plots. They communicate only through their dogs, who carry notes tied to their collars.
Les is known for his award-winning Merino sheep, which he breeds to sell at the local agricultural show each year. His prized ram, named "Ramsay," is coveted by everyone in the town. However, when Ramsay is diagnosed with scrapie, a rare and contagious sheep disease, the Western Australian Department of Agriculture orders all the sheep in the valley to be culled.
With no other options, Les and Colin must come together to save their herd and their livelihoods. The two brothers, who are both proud and stubborn men, initially have a difficult time putting their differences aside. However, they soon realize that the cure for scrapie lies in their shared bloodline, which they have carefully cultivated over the years. Together, they hatch a plan to smuggle the sheep out of the valley to save them from being destroyed.
Throughout the film, the audience is taken on an emotional journey as the brothers confront their past and reconcile with each other. They also come to understand the importance of their bond with their animals, their land, and their community.
'Rams' premiered at the 2020 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards and received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of rural life and the complexities of human relationships.
