2024 Edinburgh International Film Festival Review – Black Dog (2024)

2020 was a strange year for cinema. The box office was normal for about three months, then everything shut down due to COVID-19. However, one film reigned at the top of the box office: the Chinese war film The Eight Hundred. The Eight Hundred marked the first time a non-Hollywood production reached number one in the worldwide box office. Because of its huge success and the love it received, director Guan Hu’s next film was highly anticipated by many.

Heading into Black Dog, his latest film, the direction this project took was interesting, to say the least. A more subdued and personal drama, Black Dog follows our lead, Lang (Eddie Peng), who has recently been released from prison. He decides to return to his hometown on the edge of the Gobi Desert. As part of his parole, he must work for a stray dog patrol, whose role in the community is to clear the town of any strays before the 2008 Olympic Games. During this time, Lang forms an unlikely bond with the titular black dog.

What is striking from the very first frame, and so masterfully executed, is the cinematography. The camera is used to express a variety of emotions. The film is shot at a distance, mirroring how our lead, Lang, behaves—cold, distant, and isolated. As he forms a connection with the dog and the people, the camera moves closer to him, reflecting his growing warmth and sense of connection.

Eddie Peng is marvellous as Lang, and this film wouldn’t have worked as well without him. He is somewhat like a silent protagonist, where his actions speak louder than words. Subtle movements and gestures convey more of his character’s emotions and mental state than any line of dialogue could. The rest of the cast is also splendid. It was nice to see the famous director Jia Zhangke in a supporting role, and Tong Liya is also a delight.

When it comes to the narrative, it starts off slowly. I feel this is both a strength and a weakness. The film has a methodical build and focuses heavily on the round-up of stray dogs. While it’s not boring, you do find yourself wondering what the purpose of these scenes is. However, the connection Guan Hu makes between the capturing of the stray dogs and the changes occurring in rural China is impactful.

The stray dogs themselves are something to behold. I’m not sure how much of it is practical dog work, but some scenes are filled with so many different breeds that it’s truly impressive how they were filmed. The titular black dog is also excellent. He has a presence that makes the connection believable, and his bond with Eddie Peng translates beautifully on screen.

If the 2008 Olympics were the catalyst for Beijing’s modernization and many other changes in China, you could argue that Black Dog is the catalyst that demonstrates how great a filmmaker Guan Hu is. Black Dog, along with any of his future films, should be on your radar. Black Dog is a powerful and poignant film that deserves to be seen.

★★★★

Playing as part of the 2024 Edinburgh International Film Festival / In Cinemas from 30th August / Eddie Peng, Tong Liya, Jia Zhangke, Zhang Yi, Zhou You / Dir: Guan Hu / CineAsia / 12A