The Power of the Dog: Behind-the-scenes

This excerpt from The Power of the Dog Electronic Press Kit shows Jane Campion directing two sequences from the Oscar-winning film.

The first features an intimate moment between newly married George and Rose Burbank (played by real-life couple Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst) on a mountain near the Burbank ranch in Wyoming, 1925. Campion has stated in interviews that this scene – in which George tells Rose 'I just want to say how nice it is not to be alone' – is one of the most pivotal in the film.

The second part of the clip features Campion talking to actors Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee (playing Peter, Rose's son from a previous marriage) in a vintage car on set.

At the 94th Oscars in March 2022, Jane Campion won the award for Best Directing. The New Zealand-Australian co-production The Power of the Dog received 12 nominations in total, making it the most Oscar-nominated Australian film to date.

The film's nominations include Best Picture (producers Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier), Directing and Adapted Screenplay (both Jane Campion), Actor in a Leading Role (Benedict Cumberbatch), Actor in a Supporting Role (Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee), Actress in a Supporting Role (Kirsten Dunst), Cinematography (Ari Wegner), Editing (Peter Sciberras), Production Design (Grant Major and Amber Richards), Original Score (Jonny Greenwood) and Sound (Richard Flynn, Robert Mackenzie and Tara Webb).

In the lead-up to the Oscars, The Power of the Dog won over 30 Best Picture prizes including at the British Academy Awards (the BAFTAs), Golden Globes, Critics' Choice Awards and AACTA International Awards.

In addition, Campion won over 30 individual Best Director prizes from critics' groups and other organisations, including the New York Film Critics' Circle and the Los Angeles Film Critics' Association.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen