Black Dog

Ten years ago in a small town in Northwest China. 
After a decade-long absence, a cynical Lang returns to his hometown to spend out his remaining years. In order to make ends meet, Lang's old friend Nie arranges for him to join the town's dog patrol team, where he spends his days transporting stray dogs in a truck. 
When a part-wolf black dog comes into his life, Lang is moved by the dog's ability to survive against the odds.
Lang and the dog gradually develop an emotional bond and become kindred spirits. 
After deliberately repressing his feelings for years, Lang's sense of courage and masculinity return to him, along with a reawakened sense of compassion. He decides it is time to take action, not only to save as many stray dogs as he can, but also to fight for the redemption of his soul. 

Director: Guan Hu
Writers: Rui Ge | Guan Hu
Stars: Eddie Peng | Chu Bu Hua Jie | Youwei Da
Language: Mandarin with English subtitles

DIRECTORS STATEMENT

At the start of the 21st century, China's economic growth and social change were at their peak. Frankly speaking, what took only thirty years in China would have taken over a hundred years in another country or another era. Everyone benefited from this transformation, but in that rapid process of change it was inevitable that some things would get lost or be forgotten, or that the wave of development would impact those who were outpaced by the speed of change. 

When we get to a once-prosperous but now forgotten town and see a person who was once on his knees but is now trying to stand up on his own two feet again, we observe Lang as he comes across another lonely soul - a fast-running black dog that triggers the animal inside him. Human beings all have an animal side to them, even if it has been supressed for a long time. Lang decides to stand up and run again ... 
We are pointing the camera lens at things that a lot of films overlook and focusing on rare individuals who have managed to rebuild a sense of dignity. We believe this is crucial to the future and the future of this community. These people may be in the minority, but they are still a part of us. If we look back a few years later and realise there is value in this, then we can also say that this is the value of cinema. 

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