The debut that marked the arrival of a modern master, Barking Dogs Never Bite is critically acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho’s (The Host) snappy black comedy about a downtrodden young man who’s being assailed by both man and beast. His pregnant wife treats him like dirt, and his dreams of becoming a professor have just been squashed by a crooked dean. To top it all off, one of the pesky dogs in his apartment building won`t stop its incessant barking! Something`s got to give, so he decides to get rid of the furry nuisance once and for all — or so he thinks. –Mongrel Media
BONG Joon-ho studied Sociology at the Yonsei University and graduated from the Korean Film Academy. By 1995 he made three short films Memories in My Frame, White Man and Incoherence. He wrote and directed his first feature, Barking Dogs Never Bite, which won a Fipresci Award at the Hong Kong Film Festival in 2001. His second feature Memories of Murder won the Silver Shell award for the best director in San Sebastian Film Festival in 2003. In 2006 his third feature film, The Host, was selected for the Directors’ Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival. —london.korean-culture.org
Overlong, weak story and seriously bland characterization. Some impressive visual tricks from Bong Joon-ho, but other than that it is a major patience tester.
A taste of things to come from Bong Joon-ho. This is a deliciously darkly-comic piece of cinema that had me bursting out laughing at times. Full of quirky characters and absurd situations, this one isn't to be missed.
Darkly funny flick featuring two characters whose fondest dream is to take a walk in the woods. The film offers an interesting insight into the high cost of obtaining a professorship in Korea’s Higher Education establishment as well as a couple of new ways to cook hot dogs.
Dave Kehr in the New York Times on the fifth volume of Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection and the second volume of Sony's Columbia