''Junkyard Dog'' () is a 2023 coming-of-age

comedy-drama Comedy drama, also known by the portmanteau ''dramedy'', is a genre of dramatic works that combines elements of comedy and drama. The modern, scripted-television examples tend to have more humorous bits than simple comic relief seen in a typical ...

film written and directed by Jean-Baptiste Durand in his feature-length directorial debut. The film stars

Anthony Bajon Anthony Bajon (born 7 April 1994) is a French actor. He is best known for his leading role in the film '' The Prayer'' (2018), which earned him critical appreciation and the Silver Bear for Best Actor. Biography Anthony Bajon began his acting ...

Raphaël Quenard Raphaël Quenard (; born 16 May 1991) is a French actor. After starring in small-scale short films and television productions as well as a variety of supporting film roles, Quenard earned acclaim for his breakthrough performances in '' Junkyard D ...

and

Galatea Bellugi Galatea Bellugi (born 1997) is a French actress. Early life Born in Paris, Bellugi is the daughter of Italian actor Duccio Bellugi-Vannuccini, while her mother is a Danish costume designer. Her sister Alba Gaïa Bellugi is also an actress, kno ...

. It screened at the Festival Premiers Plans d'Angers on 27 January 2023. It was released in France on 19 April 2023. It received seven nominations at the

49th César Awards The 49th César Awards ceremony, presented by the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma, took place on 23 February 2024 at the Olympia (Paris), Olympia in Paris, to honour the best French films of 2023. Valérie Lemercier presided over the ...

Plot

"Childhood pals Dog and Mirales live in a little village in the south of France and spend their days roaming the streets. To kill time, Mirales has got into the habit of teasing Dog mercilessly. Their friendship will be tested when Dog meets Elsa and romance blossoms. Consumed by jealousy, Mirales will have to break away from his past in order to grow and find his place."

Cast

Production

Jean-Baptiste Durand wrote the film's screenplay, in collaboration with Nicolas Fleureau and Emma Benestan. Anaïs Bertrand produced the film for Insolence Productions. Principal photography began on 9 November 2021 in France's Hérault department, and wrapped on 10 December 2021.

Release

''Junkyard Dog'' was selected to compete in the European First Feature section at the 35th Festival Premiers Plans d'Angers, where it had its world premiere on 27 January 2023. It was theatrically released on 19 April 2023 by

Bac Films BAC Films is a French film production and distribution company. Based in Paris, the company was founded in 1986 by Jean Labadie, Éric Heumann, and Stéphane Sorlat. Capital shares of the company were re-allocated in 1988 when Vivendi took 10% f ...

Reception

Critical response

''Junkyard Dog'' received an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars on the French website AlloCiné, based on 22 reviews.

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* {{Portal bar, France, Film, 2020s 2023 films 2023 comedy-drama films 2023 directorial debut films 2020s coming-of-age comedy-drama films 2020s French films 2020s French-language films French coming-of-age comedy-drama films BAC Films films Films about friendship Films shot in Hérault