Paws, paps and applause reigned supreme at the 77th Cannes Film Festival 2024. The annual celebrity faux pas was pushed on the sidelines, while the canine stars strutted, barked, wagged their tails, and had a ‘roll’ on the coveted red carpet. The ‘Canine Film Festival’ generated purr-fect buzz for man’s best friend. From paw-some prances to tail-wagging dances, these pooches added a playful flair to the glitzy affair, proving that Cannes has gone to the dogs—in the best way possible!
Paw-some Entertainment
One cannot think about the 2024 Cannes Festival without four-legged Messi’s presence. This French Border Collie made history as the first canine to grace the prestigious red carpet. Hailed as the 2023 Palm Dog Award recipient for his role in Anatomy of a Fall, Messi stole hearts with his charming strut, grin, and selfie stick in tow. Kodi, the dog actor from Dog on Trial couldn't keep his excitement to himself as he liked the face of the director and stood on his two hinds while accepting the coveted ‘Palm
Dog Collar.’ Meanwhile, Grand Jury Prize winner Xin took a more chilled approach, lying down on stage while soaking up the adoration.
Adrija Majethia, a certified canine behaviourist and aggression specialist at Pawstruck says that dogs who have been well-socialised as puppies and exposed to various stimuli react well to high-energy environments. “Desensitization and proofing are key in preparing animals for diverse environments. Through gradual exposure, they become accustomed to various stimuli, making their performances more natural. Introducing them to the film environment early instils comfort and enthusiasm for their work, often rewarded with treats to maintain motivation and focus,” she says.
Purr-fect Performances
The Cannes Film Festival embraced the concept of ‘canine awards’ in 2001. Cinema journalist Toby Rose pioneered the prestigious Palm Dog Award, an annual accolade bestowed by international critics at the festival.
The award honours the best performances by canine actors, acknowledging their significance and presence in films alongside their human counterparts. Akash Bhaskar, a pet influencer, content creator, and manager of Scotch the Pup says, “Red carpet events can have immense significance to raise the event's equity in terms of goodwill by addressing the plight of animal welfare issues and spreading awareness.” Pets bring a lot of authenticity, joy, and inspiration which all drive engagement and promote a positive image about these events.
He adds, “Red-carpet events like Cannes help elevate pets as more than mere companions but celebrated personalities.”
It leads to a shift in societal perception of including animals as an integral part of the film industry family.
The Showstoppers
Indian cinema too had a string of animal-centric films that captured the hearts of audiences. The 1971 Rajesh Khanna-starter Haathi Mere Saathi was a superhit. It showed the bond between a man and his elephants. Another hit was Teri Meherbaniyan (1985). It tells the story of a loyal dog (Moti) who seeks revenge for his master's death. The 2011 flick Stanley Ka Dabba was another heartwarming tale, centred around a schoolboy and his pet chicken. Shadab Siddiqui, video director, Tseries has a word of caution. “It is advisable to consult with animal experts to ensure that the animals are handled and filmed safely and ethically. Under the Performing Animal Rules 2001 any person who exhibits or trains animals for performance, including in films or videos, must register with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).”
Paw-some Stars
• Messi, a French Border Collie dog who acted in Anatomy of a Fall created history as the first pooch to strut the red carpet at Cannes 2024
• Pilaf, the pet chihuahua of actor Demi Moore’s stole the limelight at the Met Gala
• Samoyed Felicity, rescued from China’s dog meat market stole the show in a glittering red dress
• Kodi, a dog actor from Dog on Trial won the prestigious Palm Dog Award for the best canine performance
• Otis, from the movie The Anniversary Party was the first-ever recipient of the Palm Award in 2001
Pets bring a lot of authenticity, joy, and inspiration which all drive engagement and promote a positive image about these events.” — Akash Bhaskar, Content Creator and Manager, Scotch the Pup
A person who exhibits or trains animals for performance in films or videos must register with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).” — Shadab Siddiqui, video director, Tseries
