Directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel are giving audiences a sneak peek at what they describe as a “well-bred” film. They’re excited about the unique blend of tension and humor in the story and found it to be incredibly compelling. The film, titled “The Friend,” stars Naomi Watts as a woman who reluctantly takes on the responsibility of caring for a huge Great Dane after the sudden loss of her close friend and mentor, played by Bill Murray. The movie is an adaptation of the award-winning novel by Sigrid Nunez and delves into themes of grief and friendship. Watts portrays Iris, a New York-based writer and teacher who is grappling with the loss of her dear friend Walter (Murray), who tragically died by suicide. In addition to managing his literary legacy, Iris also takes on the task of looking after Walter’s cherished dog, Apollo, portrayed by a Harlequin Great Dane named Bing.
In the novel, Iris initially hesitates to share her small Manhattan apartment with a large dog named Apollo. However, as they both cope with their own grief, a deep bond forms between them. Siegel first discovered this 2018 novel by Sigrid Nunez through a review in The New York Times. He was drawn to its unique and humorous storytelling style, noting Nunez’s adept use of syntax and sentence construction. Despite the heaviness of the story, the infusion of humor made it irresistible to Siegel and McGehee.
McGehee and his longtime collaborator, known for their work on films such as The Deep End and What Maisie Knew, were captivated by the “unusual arc” of the story’s canine companion. Siegel emphasized that the dog is portrayed more like a human character, experiencing emotional growth alongside Iris in the movie. They found this aspect of the story to be particularly beautiful.
The selection process for the perfect dog to play the role of Apollo in the movie “The Friend” was an extensive six-month endeavor, considering that Harlequin Great Danes are a rare breed. The filmmakers, accompanied by animal trainer Bill Berloni, personally met around 30 dogs during this search. While all the potential candidates were impressive, it was Bing who stole their hearts with his charisma and intelligence.
Bing’s significant Hollywood moment occurred when he spontaneously assumed a sphinx-like position by placing his head between his paws during the initial meeting. This natural display of emotion convinced the team that Bing was the perfect fit for the role.
To establish trust and foster a comfortable working relationship, Bing spent a lot of time with his co-star, actress Dakota Watts, and the film’s animal trainer, Bev Klingensmith. Through training sessions and leisurely walks, the bond between Bing and Dakota grew stronger, as they ultimately became great friends. In an unexpected turn of events, Bing even formed a sweet connection with Dakota’s tiny Yorkshire terrier chihuahua mix, Izzy, despite their drastic size difference.
“The Friend” recently premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and is set to debut at the upcoming Toronto and New York film festivals. Bing, the true star of the film, is anticipated to grace the red carpet at these prestigious events. It’s safe to say that Bing has truly become a movie star in his own right.
