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Dog Wins Horror Award Over Human Stars
12 Jan
Summary
- A dog named Indy won a Best Performance award for a horror film.
- Indy beat out human actors like Ethan Hawke and Alison Brie.
- The film's director noted the challenges and unique energy of working with a dog actor.
The 9th Annual Astra Film Awards saw an unprecedented win as Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, secured the Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller award. Indy's performance in the film 'Good Boy' surpassed acclaimed human actors such as Ethan Hawke and Alison Brie, marking a significant moment in cinematic awards history. His owner and director, Ben Leonberg, accepted the trophy, emphasizing the innovative spirit within the horror genre.
Leonberg, speaking for Indy, expressed gratitude for the recognition and noted that the award reflects the genre's capacity for experimentation. He acknowledged the unique nature of directing a canine actor, describing the process as challenging yet rewarding. Leonberg shared that Indy's performance involved moments of spontaneity, such as unexpected reactions to set cues, which added a distinct energy to the film, an energy not typically encountered with human actors.
The film 'Good Boy' centers on a dog protecting his ill owner from a supernatural entity. Principal photography for the movie spanned over 400 days across three years, with Leonberg detailing the complexities of guiding Indy's actions on set. Despite the difficulties, the director celebrated the joy and unpredictability that an animal performer brings to filmmaking.
