Dogman

2018 Italy Cert: 15 - 2hrs

Director: Matteo Garrone

Nominated: Palme D’or Cannes 2018

This is a movie rooted in an arena of petty thievery and urban ruin, a derelict estate outside of town. Marcello runs a dog-grooming business and shows real courage in facing down the terrifying beasts that local tough guys fondly bring in for him to wash and tend to, dogs that are often bigger than Marcello himself. Off duty, he plays five-a-side football with his buddies and hangs out with them. He’s popular. But there’s a specific reason for that. Marcello is no angel: he deals coke on the quiet. This pays for the lavish holidays he takes his daughter Sofia on – dog-grooming doesn’t bring in that kind of money.

Marcello also commits petty crimes for Simoncino, a former boxer who terrorizes the neighbourhood. When Simoncino's abuse brings Marcello to breaking point, he finally decides to take matters into his own hands.