to have him put out to stud, this promises to be lucrative for them both, but the dog is unable to perform. Disillusioned, Walter takes the dog back to his ranch, and advises Coco to get settled somewhere and return for the dog later on. But Coco feels lost without the dog, and returns to Walter's, only to find the dog has escaped. Upon finding the dog again, coupling with a stray female mutt, Coco sets off into a hopeful future with two young hitchhikers in tow. Cast Juan Villegas as Juan "Coco" Villegas Walter Donado as Walter Donado Gregorio as Le Chien aka Bombón Rosa Valsecchi as Susana Mariela Díaz as Coco's daughter Sabino Morales as Sabino, Coco's friend Claudina Fazzini as Claudina Kita Ca as Claudina's mother Carlos Rossi as Bank Manager Leda Cacho as Walter's wife Micol Estévez as Walter's daughter Diego Rozas Denis as Gelsi, Walter's friend Andrea Suárez as Hitchhiker Adrián Giampani as Galván Carlos Aguirre as Galván's boss Production Casting Carlos Sorín, in neo-realist fashion, used non-professional actors when he shot the film. Filming locations The picture was filmed in: Gaiman, Chubut; Patagonia; Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz; Trelew, Chubut Province; Tres Cerros, Patagonia; all in Argentina. Distribution The film was first presented at the Donostia-San Sebastián International Film Festival in September 2004. The same month the film made its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14, 2004. In Argentina the film opened wide on September 23, 2004. The picture was screened at various film festivals, including: the Nantes Festival of 3 Continents, France; the Cinémas d'Amérique Latine de Toulouse, France; the Hong Kong International Film Festival, China; the Muestra Internacional de Cine, Mexico; the Seattle International Film Festival, United States; and others. Reception Critical response A.O. Scott, film critic for The New York Times liked the film and wrote, "[the film was] flawlessly directed by Carlos Sorin...[Jose] is half-seduced by dreams of glory, but the film's real concern is dignity. Juan (Juan Villegas), is as modest a hero as you are likely to encounter on a movie screen, and neither he nor Mr. Sorin—or, for that matter, Lechien—have especially grandiose aspirations. That El perro is so unassuming is part of what makes its humane, sympathetic story so satisfying." Ed Gonzalez thought highly of the film, and wrote, "The jewel in the crown of The Film Society of Lincoln Center's