The animated film Dog of God transports viewers to historical Livonia in 1692. In a rain-soaked and gloomy town, a sacred relic is stolen from the chambers of priest Bukholcs, triggering a chain of disturbing events. The mysterious innkeeper Neze is accused of the theft, while Baron Klods, tormented by infertility, convenes a trial even as he discovers the aphrodisiac effects of a supernatural plant brought from Africa. Matters grow even stranger with the arrival of an 82-year-old pilgrim who calls himself the “Dog of God” – a trickster-like figure disrupting order and exposing hidden truths. Claiming the relic has been taken to hell, he further destabilizes the fragile balance of the community. The chaos, fuelled by a shaman, culminates in a trial by water and a ritual that unleashes the townspeople’s repressed desires.

The film can be read as an allegory of human weakness, manipulation, and the conflict between faith and instinct. The trickster figure acts as a catalyst for change, exposing hypocrisy and the fragility of social norms. Visually, the film stands out for its bold rotoscope animation, grotesque aesthetic, and elements of folk horror.

The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival, received enthusiastic responses at several other festivals, and was nominated for the European Film Awards in the categories of Best Film and Best Animated Feature Film.

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