Duelo de perros

A down-on-his-luck university lecturer, disgruntled about not receiving a promotion, decides to take out his frustration on his neighbor's persistent dog. He chains the dog to his apartment building's roof and attempts to starve it, leading to a series of escalating, absurd events involving other apartment dwellers and stray cats. The plot spirals into a dark comedy of errors as his actions have unintended and increasingly chaotic consequences.

Bong Joon-ho's debut feature, 'Barking Dogs Never Bite,' was a critical darling at various film festivals, though it had a more modest commercial reception. It established Bong's unique blend of dark humor, social commentary, and genre-bending storytelling. Critics praised its originality and the director's confident handling of tone, while audiences were often divided by its unconventional narrative and provocative themes.

• Praised for its dark, quirky humor and unconventional storytelling.

• Bong Joon-ho's distinctive directorial voice and visual style are evident from the start.

• Some found the plot's absurdity and bleakness challenging.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the film's uniqueness and Bong Joon-ho's early directorial flair, appreciating its dark comedic elements and thought-provoking premise. Some viewers found the film's narrative to be somewhat slow or its themes too eccentric, but many were captivated by its originality and raw energy.

Awarded Best Film at the 2000 Thessaloniki International Film Festival.

The film's original Korean title, 'Fido,' was changed for international release to avoid confusion with a character from the animated series 'Peanuts'.