Show Dog Inherits Estate in Black Comedy 'Prince'

The film "Prince," directed by Uruguayan Federico Borgia, presents a cinematic and absurdist battle over inheritance centered on an award-winning Afghan hound. Set in the fading seaside luxury of Punta del Este, the story unfolds after the affluent owner's unexpected death. Her will dictates that her entire luxury estate is left to her dog, Prince, with her butler appointed as guardian.

This peculiar condition ignites a ruthless custody battle among her human relatives, who are only set to inherit after the dog's demise. The situation escalates when the estranged son and granddaughter move in, determined to get rid of the dog. The butler finds himself protecting Prince while confronting his own estranged son and past.

Borgia's solo feature debut draws heavily from his experiences living in Punta del Este, observing the mix of glamor and decadence and the interplay of different social classes. The inspiration for the show dog element stemmed from his childhood fascination with dog shows. The director found the dog actor to be cooperative, with only a minor incident of the dog falling into the pool requiring a lengthy drying session.

The film "Prince" is a Uruguayan-Argentine co-production that premiered at the 70th BFI London Film Festival on October 8. Described as a kitsch comedy about avarice and love, it explores complex character relationships and a distinctive tone, which Borgia hopes will resonate with a global audience due to its universal themes.