White God (Hungary, 2014)

Nine Things About the Film White God

 1. Not since the 2000 Mexican classic Amores Perros have dogs been used as such an effective allegory for the human experience. 

 2. This remarkable Hungarian film is about a girl named Lili, and her dog, Hagen. They are both misunderstood by the girl's father, and everybody suffers for that. 

 3. When Lili and Hagen are separated, they follow parallel but separate tracks, each learning the cruelties of their own worlds. They learn what it means to be taken advantage of, and what it takes to survive. 

 4. Eventually, the dog and human worlds are inverted, and the dogs have the chance to change their destinies. 

 5. There are scenes of animal cruelty that will bother some sensitive viewers. 

 6. While the highlight of the film is the dog uprising, it's important to note that it doesn't occupy very much of the film. The point of the film is what leads to the uprising. 

7. Hundreds of dogs were used in the filming of this movie - all were rescued from animal shelters to make the movie, and all were given homes afterwards. The main dog, Hagen, was played remarkably well by two sibling dogs. The dogs were given a special acting award at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. 

 8. The ending of the film is kind of mysterious; I'm still trying to figure it out. 

 9. The obvious interpretation of the film is that it is a social commentary on racism, though it can apply equally well to any "out group" of society that reaches its breaking point. But however you interpret it, this is a unique movie with haunting imagery and a relevant message.