Film in Focus: Battle of the Queens (2011) Nicolas Steiner
Not the film you think it is going to be
I moved to Switzerland recently, and landing here has gifted me two unexpected joys: the tradition of floating down rivers (Bern is a top favourite) and a newfound appreciation for cows. Well-loved cows in alpine pastures, to be specific, sporting bells, a curious eye, and a calm presence.
So when I started looking for films made in Switzerland, I did not expect to encounter a tradition of fighting cows. The Eringer cows of Valais naturally go head-to-head (literally) to establish dominance and determine an “alpha” lead for the herd. This is not bullfighting as you know it. Horns are locked, muscles exerted, and cows either step up to battle or back down. Prizes are won.
Battle of the Queens offers an understated, assured glimpse into a local tradition. Set in the Valais region, it is captured through the stylised lens of filmmaker Nicolas Steiner and his team. A lyrical and thoughtful showcase of a Swiss tradition, offering an unexpected lens on alpine farming in the contemporary world, the film leans into the conventions of documentary filmmaking, delivering haunting black-and-white photography. The observational framing leans into the long take and natural light found on location. What it does not do is offer a typical narration. No questions are asked. There is no voiceover. The story unfolds as we follow people and animals that bring us into the competition.
The film team creates a view that avoids feeling invasive. Each subject, human or animal, is given the space that affords respect. The result is a poetic, carefully-paced film that captures the spirit of its environment, offering a view without judgment. Battle of the Queens straddles documentary and cinéma vérité: recording as unobtrusively as possible, while also carefully constructing a world that embodies John Grierson’s idea of a “creative treatment of actuality.”
This film took me by surprise. I expected a “dry” historic journey, maybe some facts about cows, and a small corner of Switzerland. I did not expect to be captivated by the cinematography, or by how beautifully the editing worked in tandem with the sound design and music. I found myself pausing, taking note, and rewatching scenes just to feel the full rhythm of them again.