BLACK DOG

Man befriends stray dog: That’s the basic premise for this striking widescreen film that won the Un Certain Regard award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Respected director Hu Guan and a charismatic Eddie Peng tell the story of a former convict, Lang, who returns to his desert hometown in Northwest China in the process of being demolished to make way for industrialization, just in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a time of accelerated reinvention and redevelopment in China. After a decade-long absence, a cynical Lang returns to his hometown to spend out his remaining years. In order to make ends meet, Lang''s old friend Nie arranges for him to join the town''s dog patrol team, where he spends his days transporting stray dogs in a truck. When a wild black dog comes into his life, Lang is moved by the dog''s ability to survive against the odds. As the two kindred spirits begin to bond, Lang must defend his newfound friend against a town looking to run them both out. With flawless pacing and framing, rich in detail and visually arresting, this ode to man’s best friend is one of the best films of 2024.