“It looks at friendship, sexuality, grief, love – and what it’s like being 17 growing up in the UK”: George Jacques and Jamie Flatters on Black Dog

This coming-of-age story Black Dog directed by George Jaques as a first feature is about a shared experience between two unlikely friends Nathan (Jamie Flatters) and Sam (Kennan Munn-Davies), who head from South London to Scotland on a road trip in search of Nathan’s estranged sister.

The story takes on the vulnerability of Nathan, who has spent much of his life in foster care, and pairs it against the stability of Sam who comes from an affluent background. Despite their raw differences, the two deepen their friendship on this trip and discover they have much in common. The title references the delicate challenges of depression and mental health and the urban claustrophobia of London giving way to the freedom of the open road and an adventure of escapism tinged with their own sexual awakening.

A beautiful score by Blair Mowat underpins the feature and gives the viewer a clearer path of the shift in mood as they make their journey North, whilst the camera work allows an up close and personal insight into the dependable and adaptable camaraderie between the two friends. An emotional finale showcases the intimacy between these two and the clear passion for this project that Jacques has delivered.

The Upcoming had the pleasure of speaking to George Jacques and Jamie Flatters during London Film Festival 2023 about filming this project and writing it together, plus some of the issues the film addresses as the story unfolds.

Ezelle Alblas

Black Dog is released digitally on demand on 19^th August 2024.

Watch the trailer for Black Dog here: