STRAY: A Heartfelt Examination Of Cohabitation

Who can’t resist a good, heartfelt film about the life of dogs? I know I can’t, and I am sure there are plenty of dog lovers who will share in the sentiment. Stray, from director Elizabeth Lo, retains the power to not only appeal to dog lovers but to a wider breadth of audiences as it stretches quietly beyond the canines it captures to showcase the nature of humanity – both the good and the bad.

The only problem with Stray is when the film has ended. Throughout the film, there is a heartfelt nature to it, one that was heightened as my dog lay cuddled beside me. But when the film ended and it was time to write this review, I found myself struggling to maintain the feelings and emotions I had originally experienced. A deeply philosophical film, it loses much of its impact when the cameras stop rolling.

The Life of a Stray

Stray is what it promises, examining the strays that roam the streets of Istanbul – in particular a young female named Zeytin. There is a peacefulness to the lives of the dogs, meandering throughout the city. Pensive shots are captured of the dogs just… watching. Watching the traffic go by, watching the people in the park, just taking it all in. They are not swamped by the hectic nature of life and responsibility, taking each day and step at a time.

They are unafraid of their environments either. Humans reach out and touch them, unafraid themselves, the dogs accepting the affection willingly. They fall asleep literally anywhere, practically in the path of racing cars and human foot traffic – even pausing for cars to pass before crossing the street. They dig through the trash as well, unconcerned with those that pass by and unafraid of being “shooed” from their discoveries.

This actually brings us to one of the most fascinating, and most retaining, elements of Stray. The human and canine connection that, even as strays, remains. This connection is first presented in the title cards of the film, viewers informed that the strays within the city were once regulated through extermination – but now, it is illegal to kill or hold dogs captive. As the lives of the dogs have been spared, there is an overwhelming amount of love and care that emanates from the citizens of Istanbul.

Children run, and are allowed, to pet and embrace the dogs. They are drawn to them and the dogs welcome the attention warmly. Security guards make dinners for some of the strays, giving them food to sustain them and their puppies. Garbage men assist the strays in retrieving bones from the trash bags, further helping as the dogs fight over two bones, the men making sure each has equality of resources between them.

One of the most heartwarming displays is the herd mentality that remains, Zeytin and fellow dog Nazar befriending a group of Aleppo refugees that live on the street. They come when they are called, excited to meet up with the boys. They walk with them and stay with them, retaining their independence but always finding their way back to them. There is a peaceful and pensive look into the fierce loyalty of dogs and the deeply ingrained connection between dog and man that still remains whether it be domestic or stray.

Who is the real “stray”

Contrasting dogs with humans, there is a stark reality in the treatment that is awarded each. Dogs are given food, attention, love, and the run of the city to create their “dog society”. Where the dogs represent a beautiful experiment of cohabitation, the young refugees are not as welcomed. High on glue and left to the rubble for protection, they are disregarded by society. They are removed from the collapsed buildings they have found refuge in, refused jobs and security as they are not registered refugees in Istanbul, and are arrested for sleeping out on the streets. As the dogs are shown human kindness time and time again, these young boys are turned shunned.

It is not a question of why are the dogs are treated better, but rather – why does society treat these young boys with such inhumane disregard. As the dogs were being exterminated and subjected to horrible ways of life before the legislature stepped in, why can we not extend the same kindness to those who have suffered, escaping from the horrors of their homelands and at the hands of their governments and fellow citizens? My only wish is that the film’s message here was as strong and lasting as it is when you first see it, the focus on the dogs providing a launching pad for conversation but also becoming a distraction from having it.

Conclusion: Stray

Stray stands at a solid 72 minutes, a wise decision as the documentary begins teetering on becoming tiresome. Another creative decision is the inclusion of the conversations surrounding the dogs, all translated in subtitles for the audience to understand. As the dogs meander through the city, taking each moment in stride, you see the contrast of their relaxed and carefree lives to the hectic and stressful ones of the humans around them. As couples fight over Instagram and other political concerns, the dogs only find stress in their limited moments of territory and possession.

Stray is most effective while playing, yet it will lose much of its effect long after the credits roll. And it is unfortunate as the examination of a society’s treatment of strays as a whole shines a hard light on the way we humans treat one another. As we are able to extend kindness to the canines that roam the streets, we are left to wonder why we can not do the same for those around us.

Have you seen Stray? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Stray was released on VOD on March 5, 2021. 

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