MY LIFE AS A DOG distributed by AB SVENSK FILMINDRUSTRI (1985). The Swedish movie was directed by Lasse Hallström and was released into Sweden movie theaters on December 12, 1985.
It didn't reach the United States until 1988 and was a smash hit grossing $8.3 million in Independent theaters. I heard about it and walked into a popular "Indie" theater to watch it. I saw it two more times.
During the 1980's.... Foreign films that had very little distribution were released into Independent movie theaters across the U.S. They were never released by Hollywood studios unless they had bought the distribution rights. On a rare occasion some Foreign movies would become a hit in U.S. theaters. "My Life As A Dog" would become the largest grossing Foreign film of 1988.
The Swedish story is set in the late 1950's. Ingemar and his favorite dog get into a lot of trouble. Him and his brother are too much to handle. Their single mother separates them and Ingemar is sent to live with a distant uncle. The dog is also left behind and Ingemar sometimes "barks" at people. He meets strange characters in the town of his uncle including a girl (tomboy) who likes him. He begins to grow and change as his life as a dog disappears. He becomes a young adult. Ingemar and the girl (tomboy) belong together after she beats him up in the boxing ring.
This is my number #2 pick on my list of favorite movies from the 1980's. It's also my favorite "coming of age" film. I have never laughed so loud in a movie theater since 1988.
"Life" was nominated for two Academy Awards at the 1989 Oscars. (Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director). It won the Golden Globe award for Best Foreign film of 1988. It became so popular that a sequel was planned. It has never been filmed.... I think you should keep it just as it is even though I'd like a sequel. Only just to see where Ingemar is later on in life.
Click on the movie Poster below for the "Criterion Collection."
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