(courtesy First Showing)
SNAPSHOT
Basil the springer spaniel is lost! Basil, a very British Springer Spaniel, is living his best doggy life with his favorite human, 11-year-old Luke Price, in the tranquil Yorkshire countryside. However, Basil’s idyllic existence is about to change forever as the Prices relocate halfway across the world to Mumbai for work. Accidentally loaded onto the wrong flight, Basil soon finds himself lost in Kolkata, over 1000 miles from Luke! Chased by a dog catcher, he teams up with Santosh, a Bollywood-obsessed Indian street dog, and a feisty holy cow called Uma. Together, this unlikely trio embark on an action-packed journey across India to find Basil’s family. Bollywoof is directed by Belgian animation filmmaker Frederik Du Chau, director of the animated movies Quest for Camelot, Racing Stripes, and Underdog previously, though hasn’t made anything since 2007. The screenplay is written by Stephen Leslie. Produced by Andrew Baker, Laurie Cook, Gregory Gavanski, Jason Newmark, Nisha Parti, Bob Thompson. Made by Sky and DNEG. (courtesy First Showing)
I love stories someone in peril; not because I delight in distress because I most definitely do not, but because I know that in stories like Bollywoof, which looks absolutely delightful, I know that as assuredly as day follows night, they will find safety in the arms of those they love once again.
And often, if they are open to it once the panic and sense of immediate loss subsides somewhat, they can have their world blown apart in all the best ways and upon their return to the person who is their home, find that their outlook and sense of self is changed for the enduring better.
So, I love the storyline and messaging of Bollywoof, which I hope and pray makes its way to Australia sooner rather than later, and the animation too looks pure visual joy.
Bollywoof releases in UK on 22 January 2027; no signs of an Australian release just yet.