Melbourne International Film Festival Review - Black Dog

“Where did all the dogs come from?”

Gritty, epic and stark, Black Dog is a terrific neo-Western following a lone ex-convict as he tries to rebuild his life, and his newfound canine companion who he fights to protect, in a visually gorgeous, epiclly sprawling yet deeply intimate ode to man’s best friend. 

Discussion Points:

A Chinese neo-western Mad Max meets Marley & Me/Turner & Hooch meets Isle of Dogs with a soundtrack full of Pink Floyd. Set in a dilapidated city experiencing serious urban decay in the Gobi Desert, Black Dog feels almost post-apocalyptic and yet the constant reminder that the 2008 Beijing Olympics are a few weeks away keep reminding you that this is a very real place. The end title card reads: “For all those who have hit the road again.” And that pretty perfectly summarises the film - an ode to second chances. As Eddie Peng’s stoic anti-hero Lang slowly rebuilds his life, faces his past, and reconnects with his passions, he also gives a second chance to a stray dog who becomes his beloved canine companion. Xin the dog plays the titular Black Dog and is absolutely the canine Tom Cruise - a successor to Lassie with some fantastic doggy action and acting. Guan Hu directs a massive ensemble of people and pets, in one of the most visually striking and sprawling films of 2024. Seriously more films need to be set in the Gobi Desert because it’s beautiful and breathtaking. Went into this not knowing much, and came out with one of my favourite films of the year. A true “chow mein” Western!