HU GUAN | CHINA | 2024 | 110 MIN | CHINESE
Like the conflicted, solitary antiheroes of classic Westerns, the stoic Lang (Eddie Peng) returns home after a prison stint to discover his rural Chinese town in decay. The abandoned buildings on the fringes of the Gobi Desert have been commandeered by gangsters and wild dogs. In advance of the upcoming 2008 Olympics, a local dog-capturing team has been tasked with clearing out the animals, including a vicious black dog with a bounty on its head. The only remaining authorities are a vengeful criminal, Butcher Hu, and the slightly more upstanding Uncle Yao (played by famed director Jia Zhangke). Desperately in need of money to avoid meeting the end of Butcher Hu’s gun, Lang makes it his personal mission to capture the elusive beast. A game of cat and mouse ensues between man and dog, which will change their futures, and the town’s, forever. Co-writer/director Hu Guan’s Cannes Un Certain Regard Award-winning feature is an exquisitely shot and compelling play on the Western that uses its unique, real-world location to maximum effect. The landscapes of Northwest China provide Hu an unexpected playground for iconic showdowns, heart-pounding chases, and even sly comedic antics.
Cast: Eddie Peng, Liya Tong, Jia Zhangke, Yi Zhang
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