We Don't Deserve Dogs

We Don't Deserve Dogs is a thoughtful, heartwarming and revealing documentary film from 2020. This film explores the profound friendship between humans and dogs, and it’s truly a must-see for all dog lovers and pet enthusiasts as it takes you on an international journey, exploring the unbreakable bond between humans and their furry companions.

The film is brought to you by directors Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker who are both world-renowned for their distinctive storytelling techniques that connect deeply with their audiences’ emotions. The directors have previously collaborated on projects including Barbecue, a globally prominent documentary.

We Don't Deserve Dogs breaks away from the traditional format of films about animals. It’s not simply a light-hearted compilation of cute moments or trained show dogs doing tricks. Instead, it delves deeper into the significance of these incredible creatures and their impact on our lives.

The filmmakers take viewers on an international journey, visiting 11 different countries, each with their unique cultural practices and attitudes towards dogs. Countries visited in the movie include Uganda, Chile, Turkey, Vietnam, Nepal, Pakistan, and Finland, among others. Each location tells a different, unique, and captivating story, considering the different roles that dogs play in humans' lives across various cultures, societies, and geographical locations.

Viewers get to see a remarkable range of bonds between dogs and humans. From therapy dogs helping trauma survivors heal in America, to the resourceful street dogs of Chile, believed by their locals to be spirits guiding the deceased to heaven. In Nepal, there is the celebration of Kukur Tihar, a Hindu festival where dogs, both pet and stray, are celebrated and revered. In Vietnam, we see the conflicted and oft-debated relationship with dogs as both pets and food.

We Don't Deserve Dogs does not shy away from the more complex aspects of the human-dog relationship; it confronts topics ranging from animal abuse, neglect, and even issues of societal taboos, offering a raw, unfiltered look at the lives of dogs and the humans they impact.

The film, throughout its journey, maintains a beautiful visual narrative. The cinematic cinematography, attention to visual details, and brilliant sound design augment the watching experience. Furthermore, it is poised with a subtle and sensitive narrative that combines quiet moments with powerful storytelling, allowing the viewer the freedom to personally engage and empathize.

Another key aspect of the movie is the cinematography, which prominently showcases the countries' landscapes, people, and culture. Each frame is thoughtful and carefully captured, doing justice to the emotional depth, the places, and their people.

The filmmakers' approach to storytelling deserves a special mention. They allow the subjects to narrate their stories in their own words, giving the narrative a personal and authentic touch. This makes the stories feel more personal, raw, and far more impactful. The narrative is sewn together seamlessly, creating a consistent thematic thread running throughout the movie.

The movie aims not just to entertain but also engage its viewers in contemplating our relationship with dogs and what we owe them. The film lays bare the sheer breadth of roles dogs play in our lives - in some cases for their benefit, and in some cases, to their detriment. It stands as a reminder of mutual respect and harmony for each other in a shared world.

In essence, We Don't Deserve Dogs is an ode to the special place that dogs hold in our societies and our hearts, across geographical, cultural, and socioeconomic boundaries. It questions, challenges, and celebrates how dogs love us unconditionally and forgive unwaveringly, prompting us to reflect on whether indeed, we deserve such love and loyalty.

Tackling such a universally appealing subject, We Don't Deserve Dogs transcends cultures and languages, speaking to the heart of anyone who has ever loved or been loved by a dog.

This thought-provoking film leaves audience members with a deeper understanding of the unique bond between humans and dogs, often leaving them to ask a single question: Do we indeed, as the title suggests, deserve dogs?

We Don't Deserve Dogs doesn't offer a definitive answer, but it does aim to start the conversation and remind us all of the love, loyalty, and companionship these incredible animals bring into our lives.