Oscars: Messi, the dog from the movie “Anatomy of the Fall”, conquered Hollywood

Already popular on social media, Snoop made a notable red carpet debut in Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall.”

Black and white coat, ice blue eyes, dog Messi made a strong impression at the Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon on Monday (February 12) in Los Angeles. Playing Snoop, Daniel’s guide dog, in the film by French director Justine Triet, the border collie attended his first social event and was the center of attention of Hollywood stars. After meeting Ryan Gosling, hand on heart, visibly moved to meet him, Messi took a selfie with singer Billie Eilish, who left her Gucci bag on the ground for the occasion.

photographing, Conversation according to an American magazine Variety, the dog even managed to convince a New York Times journalist (article in English) who reported the incident threw a toy across the room at him and threatened to knock over a few glasses of champagne.

Faced with this success among Hollywood’s elite, the film’s director was even surprised that the dog was better known in the United States than in France. But Messi’s admirers weren’t just moved by the beast himself, his performances were on everyone’s lips, especially his ability to play dead in one of the scenes, which impressed Oscar-winning actress Emma Stone.

No special regulations for the dog actor profession

The dog actor is never left to his own devices. His lover Laura Martin Contini, also an animal trainer at the cinema, supervises the events during the reception and during the filming. It was with her that Messi trained a few weeks before filming. Using the clicker, which refers to the noise made by the object when it is activated, the trainer makes the dog understand when his action corresponds exactly to what he is asking. Laura Martin Contini also guided Messi during his scenes, forcing him to hide in the background or act as an extra, as Madmoizelle says.

The animal trainer’s mission is also to ensure the well-being of the animal on set. Unless there are specific regulations for acting dogs, the animal should not perceive any difference between filming a scene and a play session. Messi had so much fun at Anatomy of a fall that he delivered the performance that won him “Palm Dog” at Cannes in May 2023. At the end of the luncheon, the Oscar Academy also awarded him the unofficial “Top Dog” award. statuettes during the ceremony on March 10, 2024, as Justine Triet’s film is nominated in five categories.