“White God” (original title: “Fehér isten”) is a Hungarian drama film directed by Kornél Mundruczó. The film follows the story of a young girl named Lili who is forced to give up her beloved dog, Hagen, by her father. Abandoned on the streets of Budapest, Hagen becomes a stray dog and is forced to learn how to survive in a hostile and violent environment.
As Hagen struggles to survive, he becomes more and more aggressive towards humans, leading a group of stray dogs in a rebellion against their human oppressors. The situation quickly escalates, leading to a violent and bloody climax.
“White God” explores themes of loyalty, trust, and the complex relationship between humans and animals. It also serves as a metaphor for issues of social injustice, as the dogs in the film represent an underclass of society that is oppressed and exploited by those in power.
Critics praised “White God” for its powerful message, stunning visuals, and innovative use of animal actors. “White God” won the Un Certain Regard Award at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, and was Hungary’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 87th Academy Awards.
| Directed by | Kornél Mundruczó |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Eszter Gyárfás Viktória Petrányi |
| Written by | Kornél Mundruczó Viktória Petrányi Kata Wéber |
| Starring | Zsófia Psotta |
| Music by | Asher Goldschmidt |
| Cinematography | Marcell Rév |
| Edited by | Dávid Jancsó |
| Production company |
The Chimney Pot Film i Väst Filmpartners Hungarian National Film Fund Pola Pandora Filmproduktions Proton Cinema ZDF/Arte |
| Distributed by | InterCom Zrt. [hu] |
| Release date | 23 May 2014 (Cannes) 12 June 2014 (Hungary) |
| Running time | 121 minutes |
| Country | Hungary Germany Sweden |
| Language | Hungarian English |
| Budget | HUF$700 million (USD$2.5 million) |
| Box office | $581,904 |