Revelation of “Scrapyard Dog”, awarded the Best First Film prize, Raphaël Quenard was undoubtedly one of the striking faces of the 49th César ceremony. He delivered a memorable speech while receiving the Best Newcomer trophy.
It is a very first film, directed by Jean-Baptiste Durand, which greatly established itself in the nominations for the 49th César ceremony. This Friday, February 23, 2024, as we write these lines, Junkyard Dog won the César for Best First Film and that of Best Actor for Raphaël Quenard – also nominated in the Best Actor category for Yannick by Quentin Dupieux.
Raphaël Quenard’s full speech at the 2024 César Awards
The feature film tells the complex friendly relationship between Dog (Anthony Bajon) and Mirales (Raphaël Quenard), childhood friends who live in a small village in the south of France. When a young woman, Elsa (Galatea Bellugi), arrives in the village, Mirales feels Dog slipping away from her.
A personal story
Produced by Anaïs Bertrand, Dog of the Scrapyard is one of those films which have become established over time and which spectators have seized thanks to excellent word of mouth. With more than 100,000 admissions, the feature film made its mark and confirmed the talent of actor Raphaël Quenard in a role full of nuances, at first detestable before winning the sympathy of the public.
Jean-Baptiste Durand has written a personal story and provides an authentic look at a toxic male friendship, between attachment and control. “I think the film shows the moment of crisis where the two characters are brothers, and must disengage to take flight, redefine themselves, and possibly love each other better.“, explains the filmmaker on France Culture.
Junkyard Dog is available on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD.