Mick
Outstanding story about the bonds between humans and dogs, encapsulated in one man's journey/struggle to be relevant upon release from prison. Well written and well acted.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/28/24
Full Review
Aviva R
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Black Dog
The writer is a film critique from Israel
This Mandarin film, which won first prize at the Cannes Film Festival, is a masterpiece. The culture is completely foreign to us, the visuals seem surreal, yet the emotional resonance is deeply sensitive and empathetic. What all good films share is the ability of the director and actors to touch our hearts. They may do it in strange and varied ways, but in this case, the result is what matters. Director Hu Guan and his lead actor Eddie Peng truly know their craft.
This film, in an unfamiliar language, speaks to us through a wealth of visual storytelling. Unforgettable shots of a remote, abandoned, broken-down town filled with thousands of wild dogs running frantically, set against a backdrop of stunning desert landscapes, endless sunrises and sunsets. Our hero, named Lang—a name that even rolls easily off a Western tongue—is a strikingly handsome man, whose silence adds to both his beauty and character.
In the film’s opening scene, we see hundreds of dogs descending onto a path where a bus is driving. They run fast, the bus overturns, and from there we begin to meet our protagonist. He’s a recently released prisoner who was once a rock star, a circus artist, and a famed motorcycle rider. He was imprisoned for manslaughter. He returns to his hometown to find it completely changed. The town was abandoned by the nearby mine that once sustained it. Many residents left, leaving their dogs behind, which have turned into stray packs—some dangerous and aggressive.
Lang is employed by the state to catch dogs, but emotionally, he is captured by one particular dog: a beautiful black one. This dog, along with others—human and canine—reveal that our protagonist is not only beautiful on the outside, but also within. He cares for his estranged father, who is dying. His father used to care for the local zoo, where a few animals remain, including a tiger to which he had a special connection. Lang also meets a woman who performs in the circus, and a complex emotional bond begins to form.
Lang is a classic hero. He contains all the nuances we admire. He’s also attacked by the local "bad guys"—and of course, triumphs over them. Our quiet hero, who is kind, sensitive, and compassionate, knows how to fight when needed and to help the weak. There are scenes that highlight his gentleness and draw us closer to him—for example, when dog catchers take a beloved puppy from a little girl who tries to fight back. Lang secretly returns the puppy to her, without his colleagues seeing.
The town continues to empty. His father dies. Everyone leaves to witness the great solar eclipse, which coincides with the Beijing Olympics sweeping across the country. The circus departs and the tiger, his father’s favorite, is released. The film, filled with surreal imagery, builds toward a climax that is the peak of surrealism: animals wander through abandoned homes, a tiger roams the town like a sheriff, and one man who opens and closes the town gate points the tiger to the correct path—outward.
Lang, whose beloved black dog has died, sees the dog’s mate come to him as well. She gives birth to a new black puppy, strikingly similar to its father. Lang takes the puppy and sets out on a new journey—the journey of the rest of his life.
The soundtrack adds another surreal layer: the slow decay of the Chinese town and our hero’s journey with the black dog is accompanied by the clear English vocals of Pink Floyd.
Bottom line: A beautiful film in which the director and lead actor manage to move us emotionally. Even though it’s in Mandarin, we’ll understand every scene because it speaks to our hearts. And we’ll learn something about China, the Chinese, and a culture entirely foreign to us.
Director: Hu Guan | Cast: Eddie Peng, Jia Zhangke, Jing Liang
The
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
05/13/25
Full Review
MB C
Black Dog is a raw, poetic exploration of isolation, societal decay, and fragile redemption. Director Guan Hu crafts a visually rich, slow-burning narrative that favors imagery over dialogue, capturing the soul of a nation in transition. While some subplots feel underdeveloped, and occasional melodrama creeps in, the film’s visual storytelling, understated performances (especially by Eddie Peng), and symbolic use of the desolate landscape create a haunting, memorable experience. It's a film that speaks more through silence and shadows than words.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
05/09/25
Full Review
Les N
What happened I don't know....as usual, but it was great fun
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
05/02/25
Full Review
John L
The dogs were good.
The human acting was dreadful.
The plot was good enough but it was hopelessly directed .
Very unconvincing.
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
12/10/24
Full Review
Rob W
Not expecting much, I went along and came out moved, thoughtful and lifted. Not an awful lot happens but there is momentum and a rounded story of redemption. Really liked the leads both human and canine. Really fascinating imagery alongside a tail/tale of man and dog rescuing each other. I really liked it!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/01/24
Full Review
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