NEW DIRECTORS/NEW FILMS // A FILM REVIEW OF "DOG LADY"
The Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s 44th edition of New Directors/New Films is being presented in New York City from March 18 – March 29. For 44 years New Directors/New Films has been an annual rite of early spring in New York City, bringing exciting discoveries from around the world to adventurous moviegoers. All aspects of cinema, from production to exhibition, have changed dramatically over the years, but the spirit of innovation and the element of surprise that have always defined this festival remain intact. Dedicated to the discovery of new works by emerging and dynamic filmmaking talent, this year’s festival will screen 26 international feature films and 16 short films.
We here at TheArtsWire Weekly are bringing you our take on the films we're screening during the festival.
The film begins abruptly. Jerking camera movements capture flashes of the panting of a dog, the corner of a woman’s shoulder blade and a loud, quick snap before a morning bird stops chirping. This continues for a few minutes until the sun rises and we get our first glance of a woman surrounding by her dogs, slingshot in hand. She is exactly what I imagine a DOG LADY would be. The woman is middle aged, plain looking woman, braless, in ill-fitting clothes, with her unruly hair tangled into a rough frizzy chignon. She’s basically what I’ll turn into if I don’t get married soon.
Except this woman is tough, much smarter than me and apparently has an immune system that scientists should be developing vaccines from.
The film takes the audience on a journey through a year in the life of this homeless and wildly resilient “dog lady”. The film is divided into seasons, and gives us a taste of life in each season. In summer she hangs limply in a hammock and catches rain in large buckets. In fall, she collects supplies to waterproof, and insulate her small makeshift home. In the winter she survives the flu. In the spring she de-winters her home and takes her pack to the water for a fun day in the sun. It is an interesting idea, this intelligent dog lady against the elements. Woman versus Nature works can be some of the most exciting.
However, this one is not quite on that level. While some scenes are fascinating, heart-warming, and even nerve racking, the gaps in between the moments of conflict swallow the film and cause the pace to sag. I almost feel as though half of the film was of the woman and her dogs walking long distances. Because of these long periods of non-action, I found myself constantly waiting for something to happen. Would she need to use her slingshot to protect herself from serious danger? How would she integrate a new dog into her pack? What if her shanty was discovered by the police, would she be allowed to remain there?
It’s as if this film just didn’t quite launch itself into a sturdy plot, but instead remained as a “slice of life” piece. Which would have been fine too, if the film wasn’t over an hour long.
Also, the long periods of silent staring off and incessant walking through meadows, took away from some really winning moments. The best moment is when the woman sneaks into an open house and steals a couple boxes of pasta. When she does this, she is followed, single-file by her entire pack of dogs, both inside and then back out again. It was a truly playful and light-hearted moment.
I did really like that there was an undercurrent of a bold statement being made about the overwhelming amount of trash and waste that society produces. This woman completely survives off of what everyone else throws away. When I say survive, I mean, she clothes herself in a multitude of clean clothes, builds a house and feeds herself with overwhelming success, all without spending a cent. The waste in some of the wide shots seems almost to engulf the people in the frame, in a subtle and strong way. I appreciate this subtlety, and how well it blends with the gentle overall tone of the film. Although the plot wasn’t heavy, and the film lacks a sense of urgency or direction, it definitely has something to say, and say says it well.
VERDICT: SEE IT
DIRECTED BY: Laura Citarella & Veronica Llinas WRITTEN BY: Veronica Llinas & Mariano Llinas STARRING: Veronica Llinas, Juliana Muras, German de Silva, Juana Zalazar
Playing as part of The Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center's 44th New Directors/New Films Fest. For tickets: http://newdirectors.org/
FINAL THOUGHTS: I left with a lot of questions, but it made me think deeply and reflect on my life.
CHRISENA RICCI once went to a costume party dressed in an all black dress and black wig. No one there could guess who she was. So she shouted out, "I'm Christina Ricci, without the T or I and add an E!" Everyone stood there confused, she was annoyed, so she stormed off. She never returned to that apartment ever again. Which is fine, because she later realized she was at the wrong party. She now lives in New York City.