Lucy, hero of Kelly Reichardt's Wendy and Lucy, wins the Palm Dog 2008

Lucy in Wendy and Lucy

Winners

Palm Dog Winner: Lucy in Wendy and Lucy – directed by Kelly Reichardt
Jury Grand Prize: Molly in The New Life of Mr Horten – directed by Bent Hamer

The Jury

Kaleem Aftab - The Independent
Peter Bradshaw - The Guardian
James Christopher - The Times
Charles Gant - Heat
Derek Malcolm - The Evening Standard

Powerful performances recognised

Among the many canine performers on the Croisette, it was Lucy, the dog of American director Kelly Reichardt, who captured the Palm Dog jury's heart in 2008.

In the film Wendy and Lucy, she shares the screen with Michelle Williams, who plays Wendy, her owner. Throughout the drama, the two embark on a journey to Alaska in search of a fresh start, facing numerous obstacles along the way.

Director Kelly Reichardt revealed that Lucy was the perfect actress: “Lucy is my dog and working with her poses no problem. She is alone at home at the moment; we live in the Queens and she would have trouble walking around the Queens with this collar!”

The Jury Grand Prize went to Molly, the elderly canine star of Bent Hamer's film The New Life of Mr Horten. On receiving the award, the director praised his four-legged actress for delivering a truly remarkable performance.

Bent Hamer, director of The New Life of Mr Horten. © Nick Wall

A moving tribute

The 2008 edition was also an occasion to pay a heartfelt tribute to Mutt, the dog who made the Palm Dog possible. The Fox Terrier had passed away on 12 April 2008, having already been unable to attend Cannes the previous year due to illness.

In honour of this true founding father, the jury and audience stood to applaud Mutt with great enthusiasm before the award ceremony.

The 2008 Selection

Lucy by Kelly Reichardt
The New Life of Mr Horten by Bent Hamer