Last year saw the return of French auteurLuc Bessonto the festival circuit with his new featureDogManstarringCaleb Landry Jones. Premiering at theVenice Film Festivalin 2023, it’s the director’s first turn behind the camera since 2019’sAnnaand follows a man who forges a close connection with canines and, through them, discovers salvation after a scarring childhood under his abusive father. The film is now set toarrive in theaters starting on March 29, and a new trailer opens the kennel to see what awaits in this violent, outlandish tale.
DogMantracks Douglas Munrow (Landry) through the various stages of his life, startingwith his first fateful encounter with dogs. When his violent father tossed him to the canines, he was not torn to shreds but instead defended by man’s best friend, further fueling his love for them. Left unable to walk and forever scarred by the abuse, Doug grows up on the fringes of society with his four-legged companions and begins using the dogs to steal precious objects and help people in need. His story is alsoa revenge fantasy, as he and his furry friends wipe out his enemies in vicious fashion. The adult Douglas lives a complicated life, switching between performing as a drag queen, thievery, and murdering anyone who threatens his existence with the dogs he loves so much.
Jones enters Besson’s latest after his last performance in another dog-centric film—Finch. Playing oppositeTom Hanksin theMiguel Sapochnikfeature, he embodied the humanoid robot Jeff, whom Hanks’s titular character tasks with looking after his dog upon his death. He’s also enjoyed roles inX-Men: First ClassandThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouriamong other high-profile projects. InDogMan, he’s joined byJojo T. Gibbsas Evelyn, a psychiatrist who listens to Doug recount his life story at the police station.
‘DogMan’ Was Part of a Controversial Venice Film Festival Lineup
In addition to being his first film since 2019,DogManwas also Besson’s first feature after he was cleared of rape charges. Besson had been facing some serious allegations fromValerian and the City of a Thousand PlanetsactressSand Van Royuntil a French courthanded down a definitive ruling ending the caselast year, though he’s also faced further accusations of inappropriate behavior by others he’s worked with. His presence at Venice came as the festivalwelcomed several controversial figures back into the film world, includingWoody AllenandRoman Polanski.
Besson’s comeback feature earned lukewarm reviews from critics but did draw some praise forbeing a strange, yet captivating watch. Audiences will be able to catch the filmin limited theaters starting on March 29 before it expands nationwide on April 5. Check out the new trailer below:
A boy, bruised by life, finds his salvation through the love of his dogs.
