New Movies: Of Dogs and Men (2024) by Dani Rosenberg: A Poignant Journey Through Trauma

"Of Dogs and Men" (original Hebrew title: Al Klavim Veanashim), directed by Dani Rosenberg, is a 2024 Israeli-Italian docudrama that confronts the immediate aftermath of the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. The film follows a 16-year-old girl named Dar who returns to her devastated kibbutz in search of her beloved missing dog, Shula, while grappling with the horrific reality of the attack and the abduction of her mother.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32432999/

Link Review: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/of-dogs-and-men-review-1235991592/

About Movie: https://www.laila-films.com/feature-films

Link to watch (industry professionals): https://pro.festivalscope.com/film/of-dogs-and-men

Detailed Summary

"Of Dogs and Men" is a unique blend of fiction and documentary, filmed mere weeks after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel, particularly at Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was a major site of the tragedy. The film centers on Dar (Ori Avinoam), a 16-year-old girl, who returns to her ravaged kibbutz to find her dog, Shula, who went missing during the attack. As she navigates the destroyed landscape, she encounters kibbutz survivors, soldiers, forensic pathologists, and volunteers, gaining fragmented insights into the horrors that unfolded. The film incorporates improvised dialogue and features real kibbutz survivors, blurring the lines between cinematic narrative and raw reality. Dar also experiences dreams where her dog, Shula, befriends a Palestinian boy in the Gaza Strip, a poignant reflection of the desire for connection amidst conflict. The film delves into the personal and collective trauma, the search for normalcy in chaos, and the broader humanistic implications of the conflict.

Plot Summary

• Return to Devastation: 16-year-old Dar (Ori Avinoam) returns to Kibbutz Nir Oz, weeks after the October 7 Hamas attack, which left the community ravaged.

• Search for Shula: Her primary motivation is to find her beloved dog, Shula, who disappeared during the assault.

• Encounters with Reality: As Dar searches, she interacts with survivors, soldiers, forensic pathologists, and volunteers, who share their experiences and offer glimpses into the horrors of the attack. The dialogue is largely improvised.

• Mother's Abduction: Dar grapples with the devastating knowledge that her mother was abducted on October 7 and is believed to be a hostage in Gaza.

• Dream Sequences: Dar has dreams where her lost dog, Shula, befriends a Palestinian boy in the Gaza Strip, providing a symbolic exploration of empathy and the desire for peace across borders.

• Humanitarian Focus: The film subtly highlights the human cost of the conflict, both within the kibbutz and across the border in Gaza.

Director's Vision

Dani Rosenberg's vision for "Of Dogs and Men" was to provide an immediate and unmediated response to the October 7 attacks, working with a small crew just weeks after the events. He felt compelled to describe reality as it unfolded, using the camera as a "shield against reality" and a tool to "organise it somehow" amidst the chaos. Rosenberg aimed for a "humanistic approach," less interested in politics or the root causes of the conflict, and more in putting a human face on the tragedy. He deliberately blended fiction with documentary, incorporating real survivors and improvised dialogue to convey authenticity. The animated sequences were used to depict the "impossibility for us to understand the other side" and to explore the flow of images (like those on Telegram) that can sometimes "block our conscience." He expressed a wish for the war to end and hostages to be released, seeing the film as an "important statement about peace."

Themes

• Trauma and Grief: The film intensely explores the psychological and emotional aftermath of a violent attack, depicting the raw grief and trauma experienced by individuals and a community.

• Search for Normalcy: Dar's quest for her dog symbolizes the human desire to find fragments of normalcy and comfort amidst overwhelming destruction and loss.

• Humanity and Empathy: Despite the horrific context, the film emphasizes human connections, compassion, and the shared pain of individuals on both sides of the conflict, as suggested by the dream sequences.

• Memory and Witnessing: By filming weeks after the event and incorporating survivors, the movie acts as an immediate witness to a historical trauma, preserving memories and experiences.

• The Nature of Reality and Media: Rosenberg uses elements like Dar scrolling through Telegram videos to comment on how contemporary media shapes our perception of traumatic events and the overwhelming flow of information.

• Resilience: The acts of the survivors and Dar's persistence in her search highlight the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable horror.

• Anti-war Message: Though subtle, the film conveys an anti-war message by focusing on the devastating human cost of conflict and the longing for peace.

Key Success Factors

"Of Dogs and Men" has been lauded for its courageous and timely approach to a highly sensitive and immediate event, as well as its humanistic and non-exploitative portrayal of trauma. Its blend of fiction and documentary, featuring real survivors and improvised dialogue, contributes to its raw authenticity and emotional impact. The breakthrough performance of Ori Avinoam as Dar has also been noted as a strong asset. The film's ability to transcend political polarization and focus on universal human pain has garnered praise, making it resonate with audiences and critics alike.

Awards and Nominations

"Of Dogs and Men" has received notable recognition:

• Gershon Klein Feature Film Award (Jewish Film Festival Berlin Brandenburg 2025): The film won the top prize at the JFBB, with the jury praising its "courageous gesture of shooting a film in a war zone during the war; for the subtle mix of fiction and documentary and the clear dramaturgical choices... for the amazing interpretation of the main actress Ori Avinoam and for the sensitive observations of people in an extreme situation."

• Venice Film Festival (2024): Nominated for the Venice Horizons Award for Best Film. It premiered in the Orizzonti section.

• Other Festival Selections (2024): The film was also selected for the Busan International Film Festival, Haifa International Film Festival, Hamburg International Film Festival, Mar del Plata International Film Festival, and Woodstock Film Festival.

Critics Reception

Critics have largely praised "Of Dogs and Men" for its sensitive and powerful handling of a difficult subject.

• Jordan Mintzer (The Hollywood Reporter): Praised the film as "thoughtful and quietly powerful," commending Rosenberg's approach for respecting "the victims instead of exploiting their memories." Mintzer also noted its "humanistic approach, showing how wars can be completely indiscriminate when it comes to the killing of innocents."

• Ilaria Bellantoni (Panorama): Described the film as "achingly beautiful."

• Jonathan Romney (Screen Daily): Gave the film a mixed review, acknowledging Rosenberg's emotional restraint but suggesting that the film's "gentle drift and its tendency to art cinema lyricism, delicate music included, mutes its effect considerably, even risks aestheticising the trauma."

• Gazettely: Highlighted how the film "masterfully weaves the personal tragedy of a little girl, Dar, into the larger fabric of conflict, probing the emotional and cultural scars left in its wake."

• Film at Lincoln Center: Praised Rosenberg for diving "headfirst into the psychological horrors of our contemporary world with this experiential dramatic account," noting its humanist approach and reckoning with both the Jewish community's losses and the tragic violence in Gaza.

• Overall Summary: The critical reception is predominantly positive, commending the film's courage, humanism, and sensitive portrayal of trauma. While some minor critiques exist regarding its aesthetic choices, the overall consensus emphasizes its unique and impactful response to the October 7 events.

Reviews

Reviews highlight the film's immediate and raw engagement with the aftermath of the October 7 attacks.

• Fred Film Radio Interview: Dani Rosenberg explained his process of filming "fast and effective" in the war zone, collaborating with real people and building the story day by day. He noted the use of animated sequences to depict the "impossibility to understand the other side" and commented on how scrolling through images on Telegram can "block our conscience."

• Cineuropa Interview: Rosenberg shared that he wanted to be a "fast reader" of reality, using the camera as a "shield" and a tool to organize the chaotic reality. He was inspired by a real teenage girl whose parents were kidnapped, and he chose to incorporate real survivors and largely improvised dialogue.

• Solzy at the Movies: Described the film as "a haunting exploration of trauma" and a "narrative feature" that depicts a teenage Israeli girl searching for her lost dog after the "barbaric October 7 terrorist attack."

• Overall Summary: Reviews emphasize the film's bold and immediate response to recent traumatic events, its blend of documentary realism with fictional narrative, and its focus on the human impact of the conflict. The director's intent to convey raw reality and a plea for peace resonates strongly in the discussions around the film.

Box Office

"Of Dogs and Men" has primarily been released through film festivals and limited theatrical runs, particularly in the art-house circuit. Detailed global box office figures are not readily available, as is common for independent docudramas. Its distribution by RAI suggests a focus on festival circuits and potentially broadcast/streaming in Europe, rather than wide commercial theatrical release.

Production Summary

"Of Dogs and Men" is an Israeli-Italian co-production that began filming in October 2023, mere weeks after the October 7 attacks. The production team, led by director Dani Rosenberg, worked with a small crew at Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the most affected communities. The film employs a unique approach, blending fiction with documentary elements, featuring mostly improvised dialogue and incorporating real survivors of the attacks.

Production Companies

• Laila Films (Israel)

• Stemal Entertainment (Italy)

• Rai Cinema (Italy)

• AR Content

Sales Companies

• Rai Cinema International Distribution (Italy)

Distribution Companies

• RAI (Italy)

• Menemsha Films (USA)

• Film at Lincoln Center (USA - festival screenings)

• Seret Film Festival (UK - festival screenings)

Release date on streaming

A specific wide streaming release date has not been widely announced for "Of Dogs and Men." As of May 13, 2025, it was listed for a screening at JW3 in London with a Q&A, implying continued festival or limited event screenings.

Theatrical Release

The film had its premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 5, 2024. It has since been screened at various international film festivals in 2024 and 2025 (e.g., Haifa, Hamburg, Busan, Mar del Plata, Hong Kong, Jewish Film Festival Berlin Brandenburg). Its release in the United States is noted as October 17, 2024, likely through limited theatrical engagements or festival circuits.

Why to recommend this movie

• Urgent and Relevant Subject Matter: It offers a raw and immediate cinematic response to a highly significant and ongoing global event, providing a unique perspective.

• Humanistic Approach: The film focuses on the individual human experience of trauma and loss, rather than solely on political or military aspects, making it deeply empathetic.

• Innovative Filmmaking: Its blend of docudrama, improvised dialogue, and inclusion of real survivors provides a compelling and authentic viewing experience.

• Award-Winning: Recognition from prestigious film festivals and awards demonstrates its quality and significance.

Why to Watch Movie

• To Understand Trauma: Provides a powerful and immediate insight into the psychological and emotional aftermath of a terror attack on a community.

• For Artistic Courage: Witness a filmmaking endeavor that bravely confronts a sensitive and recent tragedy with artistic integrity and humanism.

• Explore Hybrid Cinema: Experience a unique cinematic form that blurs the lines between fiction and reality, offering a different way of storytelling.

• To Promote Empathy: The film subtly encourages empathy for all affected by conflict, fostering a more nuanced understanding of complex situations.

What Movie Trend film is following

The film is following the trend of "Trauma-Responsive Docudrama." This trend involves films that immediately and directly engage with recent traumatic events, often blending documentary elements with fictionalized narratives and featuring real individuals or locations. It aims to process collective trauma in real-time, offering cinematic catharsis and critical reflection on current events, rather than waiting for historical distance.

What Big Social Trend is following

The film is following the trend of "Global Witnessing and Memory-Keeping in Real-Time." In an age of instant news and social media, there's a growing societal urge to witness and document significant global events as they unfold, often with a focus on personal narratives and human impact. "Of Dogs and Men" exemplifies this by being filmed mere weeks after the October 7 attacks, serving as an immediate cinematic testament and contributing to the collective memory of a unfolding crisis.

Final Verdict

"Of Dogs and Men" is a courageous, sensitive, and profoundly impactful docudrama. Dani Rosenberg's decision to film so close to the events of October 7, utilizing a hybrid approach and incorporating real survivors, results in a powerful and unflinching portrayal of trauma and resilience. While undeniably difficult viewing given its subject matter, its humanistic focus and artistic merit make it a vital piece of contemporary cinema that aims to foster understanding and advocate for peace.

Recommendations for film makers

• Embrace Urgency in Storytelling: For compelling and relevant narratives, consider engaging with significant contemporary events while their impact is still immediate and raw.

• Experiment with Hybrid Forms: The blend of documentary and fiction can create profound emotional authenticity and offer new ways to approach sensitive subjects.

• Prioritize Humanism: Focus on the individual human experience and universal emotions to transcend political divides and create broadly resonant stories.

• Ethical Storytelling in Crisis: When filming in sensitive, traumatized environments, prioritize the well-being and dignity of subjects, ensuring that the process respects their experiences and avoids exploitation.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Timely and Courageous Cinema: The industry should actively seek out and support projects that bravely address current global challenges and traumas, even if they are difficult or controversial.

• Value Docudrama and Hybrid Forms: Recognize the artistic and social value of films that blur genre lines, as they can offer unique insights and foster deeper engagement with complex realities.

• Facilitate Rapid Response Productions: Develop mechanisms to support filmmakers who wish to respond quickly and ethically to unfolding events, enabling them to capture critical moments and perspectives.

• Promote Films for Dialogue: Support the distribution and exhibition of films like "Of Dogs and Men" in contexts that encourage dialogue, understanding, and empathy regarding global conflicts.

Final Conclusions

"Of Dogs and Men" stands as a significant and poignant work of cinema, born from the immediate aftermath of a profound tragedy. Dani Rosenberg's film offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the personal and collective trauma experienced by a community, while simultaneously striving for a broader humanistic message. Its unique blend of documentary and fiction, coupled with its timely production, makes it a powerful testament to the human spirit's endurance and a compelling call for empathy in a fractured world. The film's early critical acclaim and festival recognition underscore its importance and its potential to contribute to vital conversations about conflict, memory, and healing.