Goodboy, 2005, video, 2 min

The lens focuses on a pit bull terrier, its jaws fiercely clenched on a rope suspended from above, with urging cheers coming from the background. The occurrence is located in an empty space reminiscent of an interrogation den or a clandestine training site. The dog growls, turns in circles, constantly clenching the rope, while the calls of the invisible figure aggressively egg him on.

It is an isolated frame repeated in a loop, where the dog remains forever remorseless and obedient. The scene calls to mind instigation a la boxing arenas or military training, but the bestial, cruel nature is resonant and especially uncanny. The interrelations between trainer and trainee, or rather, torturer and tortured, represent power and aggression; they push the limits of endurance to the point of a dangerous, violent discharge.
The prodding figure is ostensibly responsible for the abuse, but acquaintance with the nature of this breed of dog accounts for the latter’s part in the violent action. Infamously dangerous, the pit bull’s very name already contains an allusion to a fighting arena. Indeed, this breed is often used for forbidden dog fights and betting, a conspicuous example of which may be seen in the Mexican film, Amores Perros (aka Love’s a Bitch, 2000).
Goodboy confronts the viewer with a harsh, nerve-racking scene. The rigid loop goes on and on, preventing the viewer even a split second of retreat or escape.