Black Dog

After he’s released from prison for manslaughter, Lang (Eddie Peng) returns to his hometown, which lies on the edge of the Gobi desert. The town is a decaying concrete jungle of abandoned buildings scheduled to be demolished and overrun with stray dogs, with a skinny black dog believed to have rabies being a particular nuisance. While assigned to help a team of dog catchers as part of his parole, Lang finds himself forming an unlikely bond with the titular canine as he tries to settle back into his life.

The most striking part of Guan Hu’s Black Dog is its stunning visuals. Shot in washed-out greys that make the desert sand look like fallen ash, the film has the feel of a post-apocalyptic Western mixed with crime noir. Despite signage around the town advertising the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics, the sparse streets and abandoned homes and businesses make it feel just as empty as the surrounding desert with its jagged cliffs and dusty roads. Part of the pleasure of watching this feature is soaking in the rich atmosphere, and with Lang being a mostly silent observer of the unfolding events, it’s as if he’s taking in the sights alongside viewers.

In addition to the urban decay and the cruelty and corruption of the dog catchers, Lang likewise witnesses a collection of strange events that add a sense of surrealness to the script. From a snake vendor who wills fate to kill Lang to avenge his nephew’s death to a burgeoning romance with a free-spirited circus performer (Tong Liya) and a zoo with only a handful of remaining animals, these darkly comic moments add another compelling layer to Lang’s return home.

Hu’s newest film is far more than exquisite visuals, though. Underneath the moody film-noir aesthetic lies a heartfelt allegory about finding belonging in a conformist society. Both Lang and his four-legged companion are both rebellious outsiders within the small community. Their bond gives each of them a newfound happiness that tugs at the heartstrings in a way only a film about canine companionship can accomplish.

Set against a beautifully shot desert backdrop that sprinkles in moments of surrealism, Hu’s Black Dog is a remarkable tale of companionship that hits in all the right spots.

Andrew Murray

Black Dog is released nationwide on 30^th August 2024.

Watch the trailer for Black Dog here: