(Wo)man’s best friend

Many of us have bad boyfriend stories to tell, but this wagging tale really takes the doggie biscuit. 

It relates the misfortunes of a woman whose fella not only has unfortunate toilet habits, but he can't use a knife or fork and he barks aggressively at visitors.

There’s one area in which he shows promise however – heavy petting. Unsurprising, considering he used to be her pet. 

Written and co-produced by Emily Kron, The Dogfriend, tells the ‘be-careful-what-you-wish-for’ story of a young woman struck by loneliness during lockdown who idly expresses the wish that her faithful mutt was her boyfriend. 

The hapless pet’s transition from pooch to paramour isn’t an easy one and along with a few laughs, the film throws up interesting musings on gender, control and systems of privilege.