Naomi Watts had her dog co-star, a Great Dane named Bing, accompany her at the New York Film Festival (NYFF) premiere of “The Friend.” Based on the 2018 novel by Sigrid Nunez, the film documents a woman grieving the loss of her friend, who has left his pet under her care. In the movie, Watts shot several scenes with Bing, making him the perfect paw-tner to bond with. Once again reunited at the NYFF, the event saw many cute interactions between the duo.
‘The Friend’ explores grief, humor, and healing through a canine connection
On Thursday, Naomi Watts attended the NYFF premiere of “The Friend.” Her canine co-star, Bing, was also present at the screening and drew significant attention from the audience. The dog posed with Watts on the red carpet and also joined the cast on stage during the post-film Q&A.
According to USA Today, when the credits were rolling, the spotlight was turned towards Bing, who was at the theater balcony with his trainer. This drew massive applause from the audience. During the event, co-director David Siegel even highlighted the Great Dane’s significance in “The Friend,” stating, “The movie is unimaginable without him.”
The film stars Watts as Iris, a woman who experiences grief after her close friend, Walter (Bill Murray), passes away. Walter had adopted a Great Dane named Apollo (Bing) who he found abandoned on the streets. Now, in his absence, Iris is left with his precious memories and Apollo’s guardianship.
As the protagonist mourns the loss of her friend, she also deals with the consequences of raising the dog in a building that doesn’t allow one. Meanwhile, Iris comes to realize that Apollo also grieves Walter. Their shared trauma eventually helps them to establish a connection that brings them closer.
Variety reported that it took six weeks for Watts to bond with Bing. Animal trainer Bill Berloni insisted that the actor meet the pooch two times a day for 40 minutes in total. Sharing a personal moment after the film’s shooting concluded, Watts recalled the moment she realized not being able to see the dog again. The actor revealed, “I found myself sprinting up the road to go and say goodbye. I needed my song. I wanted this moment to be marked. And when I found Bing, I just fell to pieces.”
Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, “The Friend” also stars Sarah Pidgeon, Carla Gugino, and Constance Wu, among others.
