{"id":7584,"date":"2024-03-13T17:16:37","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T17:16:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/storypress.site\/?p=7584"},"modified":"2024-03-13T17:16:37","modified_gmt":"2024-03-13T17:16:37","slug":"meet-messi-dog-star-of-anatomy-of-a-fall-who-stole-the-show-at-last-nights-oscars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/storypress.site\/?p=7584","title":{"rendered":"Meet Messi, dog star of \u201cAnatomy of a Fall\u201d who stole the show at last night\u2019s Oscars"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many of Hollywood\u2019s biggest stars attended last night\u2019s Academy Awards, but one actor truly stole the show: he had a prime seat, every shot of him went viral, and host Jimmy Kimmel said he gave \u201cthe performance of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n

No, it wasn\u2019t Ryan Gosling \u2014 it was Messi, the canine star of the acclaimed French drama Anatomy of a Fall, who won the hearts of movie fans everywhere this awards season.<\/p>\n

Messi is a 7-year-old border collie, owned and trained by Laura Martin Contin, who has had him since he was a puppy. She describes him as a \u201cvery smart,\u201d \u201cgood dog\u201d who \u201clearns easily,\u201d but his on-screen talents weren\u2019t always recognized.<\/p>\n

\u201cMessi was a misunderstood artist. He had a lot of trouble getting roles,\u201d Martin Contin told GQ. \u201cHe always went to the end of the auditions but was never accepted often because of his [unusual] look and his eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Messi worked in commercials, but had his big breakthrough after being cast in the French courtroom drama Anatomy of a Fall, directed by Justine Triet. The film is about a woman (played by Oscar nominee Sandra H\u00fcller) trying to prove her innocence in her husband\u2019s death. Messi was cast as Snoop, the guide dog of the main character\u2019s blind son.<\/p>\n

Snoop was a dream role for a canine actor, and Messi got to flex his thespian chops in some pivotal scenes \u2014 including one where the dog nearly dies of an overdose after eating aspirin. That one scene required two months of training.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt had to happen in steps,\u201d the trainer told IndieWire. \u201cFirst, the simple laying down and having his head kind of immobile. [I] started there and then [we worked on] lifting the head and just letting it fall back without resistance.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA \u2013 FEBRUARY 14: Messi the dog attends the Film Independent Live Read of Justine Triet\u2019s \u201cAnatomy Of A Fall\u201d at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 14, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had to let his whole body fall to appear inert,\u201d she told GQ. \u201cI added cries and emotions so that he knows not to move despite the noise.\u201d<\/p>\n

That hard work paid off: the scene is riveting and realistic, and many admiring critics and audience members were left in awe at the dog\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n

Anatomy of a Fall was met with widespread critical acclaim and won the prestigious Palme d\u2019Or at the Cannes Film Festival \u2014 and Messi won the Palm Dog Award, given to the festival\u2019s best dog performance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It was later nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. While Messi was not eligible for any nominations, it didn\u2019t stop him from being an awards season favorite. Messi appeared at the annual Oscars Luncheon, where even stars like Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper were eager to meet him.<\/p>\n

Fans were disappointed when it was initially announced that Messi would not be able to attend the Oscars. However, it was soon revealed that the dog would be part of the show after all.<\/p>\n

A preview clip showed host Jimmy Kimmel rehearsing jokes with Messi in his dressing room:<\/p>\n

And Messi proved to be the viral hit of last night\u2019s Oscars telecast. In his opening monologue, Kimmel praised Messi\u2019s performance and used it as the basis for some of his jokes.<\/p>\n