“You gotta do something to feel alive” opines Ron “Stray Dog” Hall in this touching doc playing at the TIFF Bell Lightbox as part of the upcoming Rendezvouz with Madness festival. We couldn’t have said it any better ourselves. Especially when that something is riding.
We all come to this crazy world of motorcycling for different reasons but a common feeling among riders of all stripes is that the road is the place where we feel most free to be ourselves. Oddly enough, that search for the self is often what brings us to one another. A brief glance at the big list of Motorcycle Events in Ontario can attest to how much we like to get together! The motorcycling community is rife with eccentrics and oddballs each with a great story to tell and this doc does a great service to one of us.
Academy Award nominated director and co-writer of Winter’s Bone, Debra Granik, tells the story of Ron “Stray Dog” Hall, who after seven years of living with four small dogs as his only companions, is adjusting to life with his wife, Alicia, who is newly arrived from Mexico. Anchored by his small dogs and big bikes, Stray Dog seeks to strike a balance between his commitment to his family, neighbours, biker brotherhood, and fellow veterans. As a Vietnam War vet, he wrestles with the everlasting puzzle of conscience, remorse, and forgiveness.
Stray Dog
Debra Granik, USA, 100 min, English and Spanish with English subtitles, Toronto Premiere
Rated: 14A
Official Selection: LA Film Fest, RIDM
Venue: TIFF Bell Lightbox, Reitman Square, 350 King Street West, Toronto
Showtime: Saturday, Nov 15 at 7:30pm
It’d be great to see some fellow riders in attendance at the screening!
