Guard Dog

In 1995 the Peruvian government passed an Amnesty Law absolving those accused of crimes during the country's 15-year counterinsurgency war — including brutal paramilitary squads. GUARD DOG is a moodily atmospheric film that chronicles the violent days of Miguel, a ruthless government killer then and a ruthless contract killer now. Expressionless and given to bouts of fury, he coldly liquidates his targets under orders of his boss, the General. Though he seems to have a family, Miguel squats alone in a leaky grey apartment — until, in a vague search for something like salvation, he wanders into a charismatic church. An intriguing girl and the congregation’s pastor try to persuade him to seek forgiveness through the Lord. As Miguel starts to shift his allegiance to a new Boss, it looks like there’s a day of reckoning coming. GUARD DOG is a significant departure for comedian Carlos Alcántara, terrifyingly convincing here as a soldier of Christ. (In Spanish with subtitles) – B.B.