AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – Dogs aren’t simply pets. Most of the time, we consider them family. This is a sentiment that New Zealand must share wholeheartedly because the country has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the whole world.
To tap into people’s hearts, YoungShand and Film Construction created a short film that transports us into the point of view of a dog, one that is loyal to a fault because you can see him follow his owner everywhere. Be it at home, work, or a simple hang out with the owner’s friends. One cannot help but be touched at the two’s relationship, and the owner’s love for the dog is very much apparent in their interactions. The video is shot so closely that it’s as if you’re experiencing what’s happening on the screen firsthand.
However, the ad sneaks up on you. Once you get caught up in the two’s sweet relationship and the beautifully shot scenes by Film Construction, you realize that the story is going downhill. One subtle detail that you eventually notice is the owner’s habit of smoking. In almost all of the scenes, he has a cigarette in his hand.
The lively energy of dog slowly disappears throughout the duration of the film. The dog no longer runs after its owner and by the end, it stops following him altogether. The owner rushes his furry pal to the veterinarian and the point of view shifts from the dog and zooms out to show us the full scene at the clinic.
As the owner puts his forehead to his dog’s, the true purpose of the ad is revealed at the end. The film was created for Quitline, a telephone helpline that offers guidance and treatment for those suffering from nicotine addiction, to hopefully convince smokers to quit for good.
The video ends on a heavy but important note: “When you smoke around your pets, they’re twice as likely to get cancer. Your best mate will follow you anywhere. Lead them well.”
