On the edge of the Gobi desert in Northwest China, Lang returns to his hometown after being released from jail. While working for the local dog patrol team to clear the town of stray dogs before the Olympic Games, he strikes up an unlikely connection with a black dog. These two lonely souls now embark on a new journey together. A film by Guan Hu, starring Eddie Peng, Jia Zhang-Ke, Zhou You, Hu Xiaoguang, Wang Yiquan, Niu Ben, and Tong Liya.
狗阵
BLACK DOG
Guan Hu
(2024)
Former circus stunt motorcyclist and musician Lang (彭于晏/Eddie Peng) returns to his hometown after being released early from prison on parole. During his journey, the bus he is traveling in flips over on the outskirts of the Gobi Desert, caused by a pack of stray dogs cutting in front of the bus.
Miraculously, nobody dies or is gravely injured. The passengers casually exit the bus as if such an accident were routine. One passenger accuses someone of stealing money and attempts to prevent others from leaving. The bus driver asks the passengers to stay and wait for the police. When the officers arrive, one of them recognizes Lang. It appears that Lang was once a local celebrity. However, Lang is a man of few words, barely speaking for the first 20 minutes of the film.
As the police car and the bus enter the town, a public warning broadcasts about a thin black dog suspected of having rabies. The announcement reveals that multiple residents have already been bitten. It urgently requests anyone who encounters the dog to report to local authorities, and promises a generous reward and the title of honorary citizen to anyone who can capture the dog.
On his way home, Lang stops at an abandoned building to urinate, where he encounters a seemingly hostile thin black dog. Initially believing the dog might attack, Lang soon realizes he inadvertently intruded on its territory when he observes the dog subsequently urinating on the same spot.
Upon arriving home, Lang discovers from his neighbor Mr. Camel (牛犇/Niu Ben) that his father has changed the lock since he left and now resides at the zoo, caring for the animals. Mr. Camel gives Lang with the house key he had been keeping safe and urges Lang to visit his father, warning that his father’s health is deteriorating due to excessive drinking.
That evening, someone throws a brick, shattering the glass roof of Lang’s house. When Lang goes to look outside, he finds Butcher Hu (胡晓光/Hu Xiaoguang) and his henchmen, who threaten Lang that they are watching him and he must pay for his crime. Lang remains unresponsive to their threat and returns inside his house.
Later, Lang spots a wanted poster with a picture of a thin black dog, offering a 1,000 Yuan (approximately 140 USD) reward. He instantly recognizes the dog as the one he encountered at the abandoned building. Lang returns to the site, attempting to capture the dog and collect the bounty. However, his plan fails miserably when the dog becomes hostile, biting him and leaving several marks.
Officer Liu (王奕权/Wang Yiquan) tells Lang that the town has undergone significant changes: people have left, and buildings are being torn down as part of a new city planning initiative to attract investors. Liu reveals that the theatre and zoo will also be demolished. As part of this urban transformation, Liu assigns Lang to a dog patrol team, tasked with eradicating stray dogs to create a more appealing business environment for potential investors.
However, Lang dislikes the job and gets into trouble with his colleagues by intentionally letting a dog escape. When he requests to quit the dog patrol team, his request is denied, and he is instead transferred to the transportation team.
One evening, the team captures the thin black dog the authorities have been seeking, and Lang is tasked to drive it back to town. During the journey, Lang’s truck encounters a sandstorm and flips over. Stranded and waiting for rescue as night falls and temperatures drop, Lang decides to open the dog’s cage and bring it inside the vehicle for warmth. When cold wind continues to gust through the broken window, he attempts to cover the hole with a sack. However, the black dog becomes agitated and bites Lang’s hand during this effort.
Lang awakens to find himself in a traveling circus troupe’s convoy en route to his hometown. When he tells his friend Nie (周游/Zhou You) about being bitten by the dog, Nie suggests locking Lang and the dog in a house for ten days of observation. If the dog survives the week without dying, it means the dog doesn’t have rabies. During this quarantine, Lang begins to develop a bond with the black dog.
Directed by Chinese filmmaker Guan Hu from an original screenplay he co-wrote with Ge Rui and Wu Bing, BLACK DOG is a compelling drama that follows a man’s journey of redemption through an unexpected bond with a stray dog.
Eddie Peng delivers a remarkable performance, conveying depth and emotion with minimal dialogue. His expressive acting — through nuanced facial expressions and determined demeanor — brings the character to life, making the narrative both powerful and intriguing.
BLACK DOG stands out as one of the year’s most remarkable films. Its sublime cinematography and minimal use of musical score create an incredibly authentic and realistic viewing experience. The film is nearly flawless — with an exception of the dog’s tragic ending. It’s just too sad.
狗阵 (BLACK DOG) premiered at Festival de Cannes on 18 May 2024, where it won Un Certain Regard, and the dog actor Xin received the Palm Dog’s Grand Jury Prize. The film was theatrically released in mainland China on 15 June 2024.
Un Certain Regard is a section of the Cannes Film Festival, established in 1978, that showcases films with unique storytelling styles and innovative approaches. The phrase “Un Certain Regard” translates to “a certain glance” in English, implying a perspective that diverges from mainstream cinematic narratives.
The Palm Dog’s Grand Jury Prize is an award presented at the Cannes Film Festival, specifically recognizing exceptional canine performances in films showcased during the festival. Established in 2001, the Palm Dog Award celebrates both live and animated dog actors, with the Grand Jury Prize highlighting a particularly outstanding canine performance from the festival’s selections.
