Boxer Albert Clark wins the Palm Dog 2010 for his role as Boss in Tamara Drewe by Stephen Frears

Albert Clark as Boss in Tamara Drewe

Winners

Palm Dog Winner: Albert Clark as Boss in Tamara Drewe – directed by Stephen Frears
Jury Grand Prize: Vuk in Le Quattro Volte – directed by Michelangelo Frammartino

The Jury

Kaleem Aftab - The Independent
Peter Bradshaw - The Guardian
James Christopher - The Times
Charles Gant - Heat
Hamish McAlpine - Producer

A breath of countryside air blows over Cannes

While the Cannes Film Festival is accustomed to screenings of raw, art-house cinema, Stephen Frears' film Tamara Drewe appeared in 2010 as a true breath of fresh air from the English countryside.
In this dramedy starring Gemma Arterton, Luke Evans and Dominic Cooper among others, the Palm Dog 2010 winner, Albert Clark, particularly shone in the role of Boss. This talented Boxer completely captivated the jury with the comic power of his character.

Director Stephen Frears welcomed this well-deserved award. “Our film was out of competition at Cannes, and yet it still won a prize,” he said. He also admitted that one scene with Boss was among the funniest and most challenging he had ever filmed: “We put the dog in the film and want him to chase the cows, which begins to happen, but after a while the cows turn and start chasing the dog. It was very funny.”

During the award ceremony, Vuk, the dog from the Italian film Le Quattro Volte, was also recognised by receiving the Jury Grand Prize. His victory was celebrated with a short film marking the return of his award to Italy.

Back in London, photographer Nick Wall captured Dominic Cooper, Stephen Frears and Tamsin Greig with Albert Clark, who played Boss in Tamara Drewe. © Nick Wall

The 10th anniversary of the Palm Dog

The 2010 edition of the Palm Dog was also marked by the celebration of the award’s 10th anniversary, now an unmissable event on the Croisette. For the occasion, T-shirts featuring a commemorative 10-year Palm Dog logo were made, and actress Charlotte Rampling proudly posed in front of photographers wearing the iconic collar. The public also enjoyed a special exhibition of photographs by Nils Boldt-Christmas, depicting celebrities such as Antoine de Caunes and Christian Lacroix dressed as security guards accompanied by adorable canine companions.

The 2010 Selection

Tamara Drewe by Stephen Frears
Le Quattro Volte by Michelangelo Frammartino