Posted: May 31, 2008, 5 a.m. EDT
Lucy, the mutt who stars alongside Michelle Williams in “Wendy and Lucy,” scooped up the coveted Palm Dog Award for the best performance by a dog in a film at the Cannes Film Festival.
The film’s writer/director, Kelly Riechardt, accepted the award on Lucy’s behalf. “Lucy is actually my dog,” Riechardt said. “She was no trouble at all to direct. She always did what she was told and got to the set on time.”
Reichardt said Lucy was at home in Queens, N.Y. When given the diamante dog collar awarded to the winner, Reichardt quipped, “I don’t think Lucy will be walking around with this on, as she’ll get [beat up] by all the other dogs in the ‘hood.’”
“Wendy and Lucy” follows the story of a down-and-out woman whose car breaks down on the way to find summer work in Alaska. Williams attended the festival to promote the film, her first public appearance since the death of her estranged husband, actor Heath Ledger.
The Palm Dog jury prize went to Molly, the dog who appeared in the Norwegian comedy “O’Horten,” directed by art-house favorite Bent Hamer.