Black Dog

Black Dog follows the taciturn Lang (Eddie Peng), who returns to his hometown on the edge of the Gobi Desert after being held captive. As preparations for the 2008 Olympics are in full swing, Lang starts working for the local dog patrol, which is tasked with ridding the city of stray dogs. During his work, he becomes fascinated by a black dog named Xin, whom everyone fears. As Lang's past catches up with him, he forms an unusual friendship with Xin. Director Guan Hu shows how economic change reaches even the most remote areas and affects daily life. Combining elements of a crime thriller with impressive landscape shots, Black Dog offers a unique look at the human connection to animals and the landscape. The film won the Palm Dog Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and won Best Film in the Un Certain Regard section. ★★★★★ 'A crime thriller and a dazzling piece of landscape cinema' (Financial Times).