Behind the Scene: How the Dog from 'Anatomy of a Fall' Learned to Play Dead on Screen

Messi, the dog who plays Snoop in 'Anatomy of a Fall,' and his trainer Laura Martin joined The Hollywood Reporter to reveal how they brought Snoop's near-death scene to life in the Oscar-nominated film. Director and co-writer Justine Triet and star Sandra Hüller also spoke to THR about Messi's acclaimed performance in the film. Plus, Messi recreated his iconic scene and showed us his other best tricks.
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#AnatomyofaFall #Messi #TheHollywoodReporter
Behind the Scene: How the Dog from 'Anatomy of a Fall' Learned to Play Dead on Screen
The Hollywood Reporter
/ hollywoodreporter

[@Robbity]

I really hope he makes an appearance at the Oscars. I’m not even joking, he gave a genuinely fantastic performance. It was almost uneasily human. Hell, giving him and his trainer Laura an honorary oscar would be so nice

[@HuntingtonsDisco]

Apparently he's not allowed because some companies complained that allowing him to attend would 'give Anatomy of a Fall an advantage during the voting window' or some other stupid BS. The pettiness of studio execs never ceases to amaze me.

[@Robbity]

@@HuntingtonsDisco I just saw that. Absolutely devastated. The Oscars had an opportunity for the best PR stunt of the century but NOOOO it hurt the poor feelings of the soulless corporations.

[@alejandrobonilla3049]

@@HuntingtonsDiscobig corporations scared of a little doggy lmao

[@spicyjoon._.6485]

He’s there

[@jasscorpio]

He's a border collie... fantastic dogs learning things ❤

[@SonneLittle]

Border collies are known to be working breeds with high energy, so Messi is probably a very happy dog cause he is constantly engaged in different activities that stimulate his brain (like remembering tricks, staying still, etc)

[@sheashells]

I was gonna say that dog must've had the time of their life on set! Eager to learn x100

[@gummybearyeeah]

He needs an Oscar nomination now ! Oscar’s need a dog/animal category asap!

[@fromgreattobrilliant922]

Agreed! I would love to see that dog and the donkey from The Banshees of Inisherin win

[@gapr84]

Your are so right! We need the category to: Best pet actor and trainer

[@LaterMimmi]

Cannes has one! And I'm happy to report that Messi won it: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Dog_Award

[@quitequiet1]

The dog is so incredible! At first, I thought they drugged the dog to do the scene because it was so realistic. To know that he was trained and actually acted out the scene is mind blowing.

[@soupnfresh]

How was it trained is the concern you should have. Was it abuse or repetitive exhaustive training.

[@soupnfresh]

Both ways are abusive.

[@_antonia_]

@@soupnfresh border collies NEED to work, you should research before making stupid statements

[@arturomunoz3093]

So training your dog is abuse now... It's getting out of hand guys

[@soupnfresh]

@@arturomunoz3093 Of course it is. You obviously haven't seen how cruel it can be. I guess you're living under a rock. And dogs aren't the only animals subjected to animal cruelty. Think a little.

[@JaesadaSrisuk]

He’s definitely winning the Academy Award for “Goodest Boy/Girl in a Leading Role”.

[@brandstixs7836]

This is the actors on actors we need

[@zxbc1]

We need Bradley Cooper in conversation with this dog. Maybe he can learn a thing or two.

[@currykingwurst6393]

Messi genuinely delivered an incredible performance for a dog.

[@deanbeeler5659]

Possibly for a human too.

[@binary964]

'the dog is a paid actor', literally!

[@ssilva872]

He's such a precious baby.

[@ffabiang]

The boy deserves all praise as well. Fantastic performance.

[@NellyVilla09]

I know the dog is acting, but I am literally tearing up watching this video. That is really one of my fears as a fur parent come to life.

[@thetramp123]

Well deserved Palm Dog winner.

[@darzeeg2]

Wait, is no one going to talk about the trainer’s translator? His voice sounds exactly like the trainer’s but in english. That’s also amazing!

[@brokenglassshimmerlikestar3407]

I was shocked when he started talking. That voice sounds (no offense) nothing like his face lol!

[@PeteClemente]

I genuinely thought he was given doggie sedatives or tranquilized during the scene but after watching this video.. WOW... just wow! Messi is incredible.

[@ljacobs357]

Anatomy of a Fall deserved the Best Film award.

[@BBPissed]

Just watched 'Anatomy of a Fall" and I was blown away by that scene where Snoop was sick and dying. I wasn't sure if I was watching an incredible animatronic dog, or if they actually made a real dog very sick, which infuriated me to think about. Literally as soon as the movie was over, I Googled 'Anatomy of a Fall' + dog and saw this link. WHEW! It never crossed my mind that a dog could be trained to do what Messi did in this movie. That dog is truly gifted. Amazing scene.

[@Oxford322]

This dog was just incredible! I use " shaping" in my dog training too so I understand the layering they had to do to get to that scene ! Messi is absolutely incredible ! ❤

[@aidanlam5336]

Wow! I was so convinced they had medicated him to get that stunning performance. That’s incredible

[@hazimhashlamoun6785]

The first thing catched my eyes in the movie was the dog performance

[@judgejulie7869]

This film is brilliant and when it came to this dog scene I literally had to stop the film to check that the film producers hadn't really used a dead dog I was so convinced! Epic acting all round 👏👏👏👏👏❤❤❤

[@jomapohe]

The dog acting in this movie was way better than the whole cast of Madame Web

[@sharonalbanese8084]

😂😂😂

[@sedwards524]

Currently watching this film, had to pause and Google how this scene was filmed because I couldn't believe what I was watching. I thought this can't be a real dog because what could they have possibly done to him to make that scene so real! what an absolutely amazing gorgeous and clever dog actually one of the best performances from an actor ever ❤

[@emiliobello2538]

Loved the movie. They should give him an honorary Oscar. And Milo Machando Graner should have got the Best Supporting Actor instead of Mark Ruffalo

[@mercedeslb237]

Je suis d'accord

[@tiebaojin]

He's a Border Collie, the smartest dog in the world. He is probably smarter than any of the human actors that are up for awards this year. Remember Chaser, the dog that knew all the names of all his toys, and Chaser was also a Border Collie.

[@fannyalexander5906]

Messi is such a star 🌟

[@charina_custodio]

Snoop is probably my favorite actor this awards season

[@shimmer8289]

I loved that movie all the actors and Messi! A masterpiece.

[@angelicajaimearias8817]

Messi❤the most beautiful baby on the planet❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Uygkuyfkutfkytfkutfv]

Messi & Sandra were the two most talented actors at the Oscars this year… by a LONG way.

[@s3rg10arg6]

That dog is already world champion

[@aishwaryagupta8103]

Sooo smart he is ❤❤

[@jaieatsplants]

He was amazing!!!❤

[@florence7743]

Adorable, smart, gentle and clever dog ❤❤❤

[@Coco81218]

To me, Messi and Milo Machado-Graner were the true Best Supporting Actor nominess.

[@looney1023]

Such a beautiful dog too! Definitely border collie, but kind of unlike any border collie I've ever seen. I want to see TheGirlWithTheDogs give him a groom! :D

[@KnarfStein]

What a smart cutie!

[@ThePursuitofperfect]

He did make an appearance! In the closing credits, they had him "pretend peeing" on Matt Damon's Hollywood Star. Poor Matt.

[@Cinnamonkies]

i needed this video. had to pause the movie just to make sure he was okay

[@lesliebegazo4342]

Lindo perrito 😍😍😍😍😍, se merece TODOS los homenajes, premios y juguetes del mundo.

[@nadiahassan5307]

I HATED the boy for what happened to the dog, that is how amazing the dog is!

[@rossyer]

Love you Messi 🦮

[@sharonalbanese8084]

Messi should have his own special Oscar ❤❤

[@Sympathy_forLadyVengeance]

The true Best Supporting Actor winner!

[@13realmusic]

Messi also speaks French, like ugh obsessed with him!

[@michellegomes2030]

Incredible actor ❤

[@meowmeowkatty]

Without doubt, the dog’s French is way better than mines 😂

[@marmar-90]

hahaha

[@jadedjonny1040]

Love this little guy

[@sabrinademario8934]

Snoop♥️rules👑!

[@caveatlector1591]

A STAR!

[@AneeLe79]

I love Messi 😘

[@aaronrodriguez212]

ronaldo betterrr

[@RC-qf3mp]

The dog pushed the man out of the window. 😮 🐾 💀

[@warrenguy76]

This dog acted better in this film than some leading actors Oscar wins.

[@spongeBob77086]

I'm French and it's embarrassing to say that this dog plays death better than Marion Cotillard!

[@Resol26]

The GOAT

[@joannemurdock7899]

Looks like a very interesting movie😮

[@adrianyoyo3635]

It's amazing to see to what degree ppl loves Messi, no one cares about the dog in France he's not in any conversation about the movie here i'm not goin to lie

[@tatehildyard5332]

To be fair, the French aren’t exactly know for appreciating whimsy and joy.

[@Maribel-q3y]

I just love dogs and messi is a dog! Best men friends! So i guess the french don't care about friendship, loyalty and unconditional love a dog brings!

[@elsasvenski1566]

True! In the media we don’t really talk about the dog but a lot of people in France likes the movie because of the dog.

[@badlucifer]

THE WAY I GOT SCARED WHEN I SAW THE SCENE, IT THOUGHT THEY ACTUALLY ABUSED THE DOG 😭😭😭

[@VitoCorleone-tm2qc]

Dog was absolutely phenomenal ❤

[@Sophie-db1ko]

It’s one of these puzzling scenes where i wondered how did they do it.

[@Rebecca-nc8ir]

超厲害的演技😊

[@batacumba]

At 0:40 seconds they show a completely different dog that isn’t Messi? 😂🤨

[@cherryblack420]

"ahhh messi pq t'es mort???"

[@dodgyyoutuber9560]

“We chose him not for his beauty.” Excuse me???

[@Eragon2679]

She isn't saying that he isn't beautiful, what she means is "he IS beautiful, but we chose him not because of this, but because of his ability to act"

[@minxxd]

aww

[@litothemanlapid]

I did not expect the voice from the dude translator lol.

[@brokenglassshimmerlikestar3407]

I know right?! hahahahaha

[@petergivenbless900]

He is no ordinary dog, he has a kind of "superpower". 😉

[@toniberger7871]

He is a superdog

[@joshuakoa9596]

Messi got PETA at the edge of their seats

[@ivandark95]

Best actor at the Oscar 2024 .

[@alvar123-h1z]

que bello 😊

[@silkspectre7979]

The BESTEST boiiii!!!

[@zacatecas570]

He should get an Oscar

[@jennatals]

i love messi 😭

[@Maribel-q3y]

Messi, like Leo Messi the soccer phenomenon?

[@Mari-hb8jp]

eu chorei quando ele quase morreu

[@bladi132]

Daniel Day Lewis left a lot to be desired and now we have it

[@Xanadu2025]

That was unbelievable. It seemed as if the dog was actually drugged.

[@nathanielconner505]

0:38 uhh that is definitely a different dog. Am I missing something?

[@kzflw]

Came here to see if anyone else noticed this! That’s not Messi.

[@guyjackson132]

For whatever reason...Messi was unable to attend Cannes. So the dog shown is named Stan (also a border collie) who "symbolically" accepted the Palm Dog for Messi.

[@JanFWeh]

​@@guyjackson132 All that fame has gotten to his head. Won't even show up to Cannes anymore to accept an award. Clearly beneath him now.

[@jonathanclark2622]

The dog was the highlight of the show

[@janick01ify]

It was snoop, in the attic, with the ball.

[@brant25]

He is smarter than a lot of people. Including me

[@pamelaparsons9046]

Sweet baby

[@nwansley22]

What's the big deal? My dog does the same thing any time I try to get her to go outside and take a walk

[@NaamaFreedman]

ahm... that's not Messi at 0:37

[@aiai-j7i]

I noticed...brown eyes!

[@kurrs177]

messi coming through

[@miguelprzytula99]

El Oscar es el único premio al que Messi le faltó estar nominado.

[@maybudgetarian]

Border collies have proved a lot of times that they're the smartest breed of dogs. 👏🙌

[@SA-xv3kv]

❤😊

[@mariephillange2363]

Does he have his SAG member card?

[@MsDebbie0611]

In Taiwan we always say: “dogs are dogs, borders are borders”😄

[@SisyphusMyth]

Sorry folks...in the movie his tongue was hanging out, eyes rolled back in head which can only be achieved by sedating the dog...they had him drugged for some of those shots and then edited it together so that it looked like it all happened in one short scene. Could've been filmed over many days even. It's the movies

[@MrXabungle]

Okay, the voice of the trainer's translator is not what I expect him to sound like.

[@brokenglassshimmerlikestar3407]

Me too I was stunned! Although the poor dude probably gets this all the time lol. If it was radio I'd picture a young gay guy from California, not a scruffy looking middle aged man

[@jayedgardyson1920]

How did they make him sick?

[@Eragon2679]

The puke was CGI, i don't think french/EU laws would allow to make an animal sick, just for a movie.

[@mirthainsfran4239]

NO LO DEJARON APARECER EN EL OSCAR😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡🤪🤪🤪

[@chimaera_2330]

Snoop killed Samuel.

[@thejeremyjohn]

I'm not convinced

[@teamblue2431]

Can the dog speak French?

[@caro1ns]

Once upon a time they would have just drugged the dog... 😥

[@kiki__21]

Border Collies are the best

[@MaisonKirkman]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@animaljustice7774]

I wish Hollywood would stop making movies where the pet suffers

[@ilovemovies725]

He didn't and the film is not "from" hollywood. It's french.