A dog named Kodi, who plays Cosmos in the Swiss comedy-drama “Dog on Trial,” was declared the winner of the Palm Dog award at the Cannes Film Festival. Kodi narrowly beat Xin, a sighthound who won the Grand Jury Prize for the Chinese drama “Black Dog.” Both dogs were present at the awards ceremony in Cannes to receive their medals, which were in the form of dog collars. The Palm Dog awards honor the canines that appear in films at the festival, and the event was attended by local dogs, their owners, and journalists alike.
Historically, many previous winners of the Palm Dog award have not been present at the ceremony. Last year’s winner, Messi, was awarded in absentia, and his collar was instead wrapped around a border collie named Stan. In 2019, director Quentin Tarantino accepted the award on behalf of Sayuri, who played Brandy the pit bull in his film “Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood.” The Palm Dog award was created in 2001, and a jury of reporters decides the winners each year.
For Kodi, a rescue dog nearly 10 years old, winning the Palm Dog award was a highlight of his career. Despite being barred from the red carpet at the premiere of his film, “Dog on Trial,” Kodi’s character plays a central role in the story, where he is put on trial for biting a woman. The film explores themes of feminism and the status of dogs in society. Director Laetitia Dosch explained that the Palm Dog award, although quirky, has a serious message about the importance of animals in films.
In the Chinese drama “Black Dog,” actor Eddie Peng not only stars alongside Xin but also owns her in real life. Peng adopted Xin after forming a bond with her on set, and he attended the Palm Dog awards to support her. Peng joked that Xin’s newfound popularity might mean he no longer needs to work and can become her agent instead. The film follows Peng’s character as he is tasked with removing stray dogs from his hometown before the Olympic Games, showcasing the bond between humans and animals.
In addition to the Palm Dog award, three prizes were also awarded for the best “mutt moments” in various films. These awards went to Chippy from Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis,” Dave in Andrea Arnold’s “Bird,” and a surreal hound ensemble in Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Kinds of Kindness.” Despite the excitement surrounding the Palm Dog awards, the Cannes Film Festival still has more prestigious awards to be presented, including the Palme d’Or. Film enthusiasts can continue to follow the festival’s coverage for more updates and highlights.
