I’m just back from the Cannes beach, where I and my fellow Palm Dog jury members presented this prestigious prize to Kelly Reichardt on behalf of her own pet Lucy, for the best canine performance at the Cannes Film Festival. The animal is the star of Wendy And Lucy, opposite Michelle Williams, who plays Wendy. Yes, the name of the dog is in the movie’s title – how could we resist? Reichardt previously directed the excellent camping-trip flick Old Joy, and her new film is the story of a young woman driving up to Alaska with her dog, when her car breaks down in Oregon. Wendy And Lucy has been acquired for UK distribution by Soda Pictures so look out for it later this year or next at an arthouse cinema near you. Lucy could not be present to receive the award, as she is back home in Queens, New York. Lucy looks forward to wearing the collar, although Reichardt (pictured with me) reckoned she’d “probably get her ass kicked” by the other neighbourhood dogs if she did.
heat’s Film Editor Charles Gant is at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.