Junkyard Dog (film)

The story takes place over one summer in a village in rural southern France. Dog and Mirales, two childhood pals in their twenties, spend their days roaming the streets. The loudmouthed Mirales, both literate and uneducated, has completed a training as a cook but makes a living selling weed. The taciturn Dog has just enlisted in the army and is awaiting his induction. To kill time, Mirales has got into the habit of teasing Dog mercilessly, which Dog meekly endures. A friend of theirs, Paco, plans to open a restaurant in the village and wants to hire Mirales as his chef, but Mirales acts as if the offer to work in a countryside restaurant is beneath him.

Elsa, a young woman who has just completed her literary studies, is hosted in the village by a friend as she takes time to figure out her future. She becomes acquainted with Mirales and Dog. Though Mirales was the one who initially approached her, it soon appears that she has little time for his swagger and has instead developed a liking for Dog. Elsa and Dog start a relationship. Mirales becomes jealous of their romance: he behaves obnoxiously with both of them, and his teasing of Dog turns into outright bullying. Dog finally tires of Mirales' attitude, breaks up with him and stops returning his calls.

Over a misunderstanding, Dog runs afoul of a group of local hoodlums. One night, he stumbles upon them and is chased by the gang in the streets of the village. He calls Mirales for help. Mirales comes to his rescue and helps him fight away his agressors. Mirales' dog is fatally stabbed during the scuffle.

Dog and Mirales rekindle their friendship. They bury Mirales' dog. Dog leaves for the army. Mirales starts working at Paco's restaurant.

Jean-Baptiste Durand wrote the film's screenplay, in collaboration with Nicolas Fleureau and Emma Benestan. Anaïs Bertrand produced the film for Insolence Productions.^[2]

Principal photography began on 9 November 2021 in France's Hérault department, and wrapped on 10 December 2021.^[2]

Junkyard Dog was selected to compete in the European First Feature section at the 35th Festival Premiers Plans d'Angers,^[3] where it had its world premiere on 27 January 2023.^[4] It was theatrically released on 19 April 2023 by Bac Films.^[5][6]