Lang (essayed by a grim Eddie Peng) is hired to trap strays in the Gobi Desert. But a man with a heart that melts, he watches in anguish as the canines are mistreated and decides to adopt one. Once a celebrity — a stunt motorcyclist, a great guitarist and the son of a bigwig — Lang’s incarceration sees him transformed into a completely different person that is wonderfully encapsulated by Peng.
Strictly for art house fans, “Black Dog” can be a hard watch for others and the starkness of a part of the country with its decay and hostile desert sands is far from the allure that we often associate with cinema. Hu does not seem to care as he tells us with brutal frankness how dozens of dogs (some suffering from fatal rabies) are hunted down with a huge net by catchers — the scenes can be revolting to some.
“Black Dog” relies on one too many contrived incidents that impede the narrative flow, but if you’re a fan of moody, almost allegorical films, this one is for you.
