Black Dog

https://www.harrogatefilmsociety.org/event-details/black-dog

Black Dog | 2024 | 12A | Dir. Guan Hu | China | IMDb 7.2 | Subtitled | 110 minutes

November 3rd 7.30 – 9.30 pm

Winner of A Certain Regard at Cannes in 2024, Black Dog is a beautifully filmed exploration of human resilience and the need for connection. A taciturn loner, Lang (Eddie Peng) recently released from prison returns to his home - a dying Chinese town on the edge of the Gobi Desert.
Hauntingly beautiful widescreen photography offers a window into a rarely seen side of modern China.

Lang takes a job clearing the streets of stray dogs before the 2008 Beijing Olympics and unwillingly strikes up a rapport with the titular Black Dog (Xin).

Director Guan enigmatically blends social realism, dead pan humour and elements of surrealism to ensure this story of Man and Dog avoids all cliches.

The nuanced performances from both Peng and Xin as two lost souls seeking redemption amid societal decay gives adage to the old saying
“You may not get the dog you want but you get the dog you need!”
Xin won a Palm Dog at Cannes for his performance and the rapport between Peng and Xin was so genuine that Peng adopted the dog after filming!

· Screen 2 upstairs - Unreserved seating
· Doors open 7pm
· Welcome from our chair Paula Stott @ 7.30pm
· Free parking available at the Odeon
· We invite every viewer to score the film afterwards using a token system in the lobby

Entry is free for HFS members who have paid an annual subscription via our website. Membership costs just £52.50 for all 15 films and just £30 if you are lucky enough to be under 25! Join on the Harrogate Film Society website.

Tickets for non-members are not available in advance for this film but may be offered after 7pm in person on the night. This is to ensure that our members are given priority.