Cinema VinesAt the San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain, actor Brad Pitt took the stage to praise his unlikely co‑star, a German shepherd named Uber, who plays Odin in the survival drama Heart of the Beast. The film, directed by David Ayer, follows a military officer and his combat dog as they struggle to survive after an air crash leaves them stranded in the Alaskan wilderness.
Pitt described working with Uber as “a really moving experience,” noting that the dog’s unscripted actions and expressive close‑ups touched him deeply. He added that the animal was discovered by the film’s dog whisperer in New Zealand, and that the bond between actor and animal formed quickly on set.
Uber, a German shepherd, appears as Odin in the majority of the film, while three puppies portray the dog in flashback scenes at different ages. The production highlighted the strong connection between the human and canine protagonists, a theme that has already resonated with early reviewers.
The movie is set to open in theatres on Friday, September 25, and has already earned an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 61 reviews. Critics have lauded both Pitt and Uber, with a four‑star review from Hollands praising the film’s cinematography, score, and the dynamic partnership that could win over even non‑dog lovers.
San Sebastián, the most prestigious film festival in the Spanish‑speaking world, concluded on Saturday with 17 films competing for top awards, overseen by jury president US director Ira Sachs.
