Five-star film about the relationship between man and dog on the edge of the Gobi Desert.
Director: Guan Hu - Actors: Eddie Peng, Tong Liya, Jia Zhangke, Zhang Yi, Zhou You
Length: 111 minutes - Language: Mandarin
- Subtitles: Dutch
Film critic: "The opening shot alone is worth a cinematic visit..."
NRC: "...lauded, surrealistically beautiful Chinese Western."
Lang(Eddie Peng) is a taciturn man who wants to resume his life after his imprisonment. He returns to his native village on the edge of the Gobi Desert. There, too, it is palpable that the Beijing Olympics are approaching. All stray dogs must be driven out of the city, and Lang joins the local dog patrol. He becomes fascinated by the dogs they must catch. A special bond develops with an impressive black dog Xin.
From the very first scene, director Guan Hu creates a visually stunning film with Western characteristics. Within it is a friendship story and hidden social criticism about the development of industry and cities in rural China.
The film won 2 awards at the last Cannes Film Festival.
