The Chilean film 'La Perra' has claimed the prestigious Palm Dog award at the Cannes Film Festival, celebrating the finest canine performance on the silver screen. The award was presented on Friday, one day before the festival's official awards ceremony, in a quirky tradition held on the Cannes beachfront.
A Celebration of Canine Stars
The event was a lively affair packed with journalists, dog lovers, and numerous four-legged guests. The air was filled with barking and the clinking of wine glasses as eager pups posed for cameras and socialized with their peers. Gourmet doggie snacks were served, and look-alike local pooches stood in for their famous counterparts to collect awards.
'La Perra,' which translates to 'female dog' in Spanish, was screened in the Directors' Fortnight sidebar. The film follows a solitary woman and her bond with an abandoned puppy named Yuri, after the famous Mexican pop star.
Director's Joy and Heartfelt Message
Director Dominga Sotomayor collected the coveted dog collar and shared the story behind the canine cast. 'Yuri and little Tormenta, who played the little Yuri, are both rescue dogs and both happy in their new homes. They were not trained, so it was really wild to work with them,' she said. Sotomayor expressed her desire to make a film where dogs are not merely useful to the plot but are characters themselves. 'I think both dogs were the heart of the film, so I am very happy with this prize,' she added.
Female-Led Films Dominate
Both top awards at the ceremony went to films directed by women and featuring female dog characters. The Grand Jury prize was awarded to Lola, a border terrier cross who appears in the British movie 'I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning.' That film also won the Directors' Fortnight audience award on Thursday. It follows a group of friends who grew up together in the same building complex, on the cusp of turning 30, facing adulthood and unfulfilled dreams. Director Clio Barnard attended the doggie celebrations and honored Lola's professionalism. 'I loved working with her, and I would love to work with her again,' Barnard said.
History of the Palm Dog
The Palm Dog Award was founded in 2001 by film journalist Toby Rose with a mission to give equal celebration to canines at Cannes as their human co-stars. Former winners include Messi from 'Anatomy of a Fall,' Brandy from 'Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,' and Uggie from 'The Artist.'
