The Dogs

Two dogs are at the center of director Dean Yamada’s second feature which explores the yawning chasm between rich and poor in Indonesia. The first dog, a lively yellow pup named Kaleng, is apparently a poor boy’s only friend. Their deep bond, established in an idyllic prologue, is severed after another boy’s family demands the equivalent of $70 for getting bitten by Kaleng. Unable to pay, the boy reluctantly lets Kaleng go, chasing him into the streets. The second dog is Kandi, a pomeranian belonging to an upper-middle class family that escapes after the housekeeper accidentally leaves the gate open. As family members scramble to find Kandi, one daughter tries to cover for her housekeeper, straining the family. Meanwhile, Kandi is scooped up by a struggling ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver, who wanted to impress his girlfriend with a fancy dog. (Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival)