Black Dog takes place on the edge of the Gobi Desert in Northwest China, as Lang (Eddie Peng) returns to his hometown after being released from jail. While working for the local dog patrol team, led by Uncle Yao (Jia Zhang-Ke), that is clearing the town of stray dogs before the Beijing Olympics, he strikes up an unlikely connection with a black dog (Xiaoxin) and the two lonely outcasts find purpose in each other. The film had its World Premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2024, where it won the Un Certain Regard Award and Palm Dog Grand Jury Prize. The film was screened during the Austin Film Festival in October. This is one of my top ten featured films at the festival this year. The film is a strong awards contender this season, with filmmaker Guan Hu nominated for Best Director at the 2024 Gotham Awards.
Black Dog from Writer/Director: Guan Hu (and co-writers Ge Rui, Wu Bing) have created a very engaging film about Lang and his connection to a black dog after his return home from having been in jail. He tries to mind his own business, but others in the community are not through finding their own justice. Cast that perform aside from Eddie Peng, are Tong Liya, Jia Zhangke, Zhang Yi, Zhou You, among others. The story is not a sappy one about a man and his dog. What starts out as both Lang and the dog having difficulties in their lives becomes a very endearing story about their connection.
There are some very great scenes captured to show the evolution of their connection that is heartfelt.
Cinematographer Gao Weizhe captures so many scenes of the day-to-day life the community finds itself in with so many stray dogs. This must change, given the upcoming events, and the city managers decide to implement an action to have the dogs collected. I will not expand on the details, but it is quite action packed as the dogs do all they must to avoid what may be the end of life as they know it.
Executive Producer: Liang Jing, Producer: Zhu Wenjiu, Co-Producer: Justine O., Wang Donghui
Composer: Breton Vivian, Music Supervisor: Yu Fei, Sound Supervisor: Fu Kang, Production Designer: Huo Tingxiao, Styling Director: Li Zhou
Black Dog will have its limited North American theatrical run in Los Angeles on November 22. The film will screen in 20 or more markets before its TVOD/EST release in February 2025, with Cleveland, OH; New Paltz, NY; Anchorage, AK; and Billings, MT currently confirmed.
Language: Chinese (Mandarin) Running Time: 110 minutes
Source: The Forge
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