19th century. The journey of a man (Domingo) trying to stay true to his morals in the devastated post War of Spanish Independence (also known as Peninsular War) society. First film shot in "Palra del Rebollar".
PASTORIS is a film set in the 19th century that tells the story of Domingo, a shepherd presumed dead during the War of the Spanish Independence (also known as the Peninsular War), who returns home. Circumstances but mainly feelings of inadequacy lead him to accept a job from a local landowner herding sheep in the Rebollar region, south of Salamanca. The job takes him on a journey through magical natural landscapes showing rare and fascinating traditions of pastoral society. The film follows his personal, solitary journey, confronting the roots of his existence and facing various dangers. Domingo is aware of the dangers that may lay on the road but unaware of the dangers that may hide within his own physique.
PASTORIS is a shepherd story as a rooted cultural tradition in the south of the Spanish province Salamanca and its frontier with Extremadura, presented from a personal and quite intimate point of view.
What makes PASTORIS unique is that it's the first film shot in PALRA, a variant of eastern AsturLeonese, a language native to the Rebollar region. This choice adds historical and cultural authenticity, emphasizing the importance of preserving minority languages. PALRA is not just a linguistic tool but a tribute to the region's identity, highlighting the rural lifestyle and struggles of the area's inhabitants during a crucial time in Spanish history. The film deeply intertwines Domingo's introspection with local history, exploring themes of survival, identity, and the tensions between rural life and the changes brought by wars and local rulers.
