In a moment reminiscent of a decade ago when “White God” triumphed at the Cannes Film Festival, this year’s Un Certain Regard section saw Chinese director Guan Hu’s “Black Dog” clinch the top prize. 

The film, blending Western, film noir, and comedy elements with a heartwarming canine lead, tells the story of a loner reconnecting with his hometown and a greyhound companion. Outshining 17 other contenders, “Black Dog” secured the prestigious award in this esteemed festival category.

A Poignant Film Wins Top Honors

“Black Dog” tells the story of a damaged loner returning to his desert hometown after a spell in prison. 

There, he finds a kindred spirit in an equally world-weary greyhound. The film triumphed over 17 other titles to clinch the top award. 

Jury president Xavier Dolan, known for his works “Mommy” and “Laurence Anyways,” praised the film for its “breathtaking poetry, its imagination, its precision, and its masterful direction.”

A Remarkable Moment for Guan Hu

The film’s team, sans director Guan Hu but accompanied by their wiry canine star Xin, expressed astonishment as they accepted the award. 

Leading man Eddie Peng, visibly emotional, began his speech by saying, “How much time do we have?” He honored his director and handed it over to the producers. 

One of them, quoting from the film, said, “We stand up, we walk towards the future, and I hope that Chinese cinema can get better and better.”

Recognition for Canine Star Xin

Earlier in the day, Xin had to settle for second prize at the Palm Dog Awards, which honor the best canine performances at Cannes. 

She was edged out by Kodi, the star of Laetitia Dosch’s courtroom comedy “Dog on Trial.” Despite missing the top Palm Dog honor, Xin’s performance was celebrated on the Un Certain Regard stage.

Other Winners at Un Certain Regard

The Jury Prize, the runner-up award, went to French director Boris Lojkine’s “The Story of Souleymane.” This social drama follows an immigrant Guinean delivery cyclist in Paris as he prepares for an asylum application interview. 

First-time actor Abou Sangare, who delivered a powerful performance, received one of the jury’s two non-gendered performance awards.

Vicky Krieps, a jury member, commended Sangare’s dedication, saying, “You woke up every morning at 5 a.m. and probably wondered, ‘What the fuck am I doing?’ And it was fucking brilliant.”

The second performance prize went to Indian actor Anasuya Sengupta for her role in “The Shameless,” where she portrays a queer Delhi sex worker on the run. 

In a passionate speech, she dedicated her award to marginalized communities worldwide, emphasizing the need for equality and decency.

Best Director Award Shared

Italian director Roberto Minervini and Zambian-British director Rungano Nyoni both shared the Best Director award for their respective films, “The Damned” and “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl.”

Nyoni’s film praised for its innovative approach to depicting sexual abuse trauma, and Minervini’s Civil War drama, noted for its poetic storytelling, both received high praise from the jury.

Special Awards and Mentions

The jury presented a one-off Youth Prize to French freshman director Louise Courvoisier for “Holy Cow!”  a lively story about a rural teen entering a cheese-making competition. 

Saudi director Tawfik Alzaidi received a special mention for his debut feature “Norah,” which explores the bond between two village misfits united by their love of art.

Final thoughts 

The UnCertain Regard jury, led by Canadian multi-talent Xavier Dolan and composed of filmmakers and critics, recognized the diverse and innovative storytelling showcased in this year’s lineup. 

As the festival continues, the awards highlight the richness and variety of global cinema, celebrating both new and established talents in the industry.

The Information is Taken from Variety and Wion