In the movie Vigil, Toss is a young girl who lives with her father and grandfather on a sheep farm in rural New Zealand. Her father is a rugged and solitary man who has taught her to appreciate the land and animals around her. However, when he dies in an accident, Toss is left alone with her grandfather to run the farm.
One day, a mysterious hunter called Ethan wanders onto the farm and is given a job by Toss's grandfather. Ethan is a silent and brooding figure, but Toss is intrigued by him and begins to form a bond with him. They share a love of nature and spend time together exploring the surrounding hills and forests.
However, their relationship becomes strained when Ethan begins to show an interest in Toss's mother, who is struggling to cope with the loss of her husband. Toss is jealous of Ethan's attention to her mother and feels betrayed when they begin a romantic relationship.
As the tension between Toss and Ethan grows, they are forced to confront their feelings and face the realities of their situation. The movie explores themes of grief, loss, and coming-of-age as Toss navigates her way through the complex emotions of growing up and dealing with family dynamics.
Vigil is a beautifully filmed and hauntingly atmospheric movie that captures the rugged beauty of the New Zealand landscape and the emotional struggles of its characters. It was directed by Vincent Ward and was released in 1984.
