Cala, My Dog

Running time: N/A

Lu Xuechang's Cala, My Dog! is a philosophical tale reflecting the extraordinary struggle of an ordinary worker to reclaim his pet, his family...and himself. Internationally acclaimed, award winning actor Ge You (Big Shot's Funeral, Best Actor of the 47th Cannes Film Festival) stars as an ordinary factory employee, Lao Er, who trudges between the family home and the factory floor every day, constantly in search of his dignity and manhood. While his wife, Yu Lan, gradually puts on weight, their 14-year-old son, Liang Liang, like most young teenagers, struggles with his family and adolescence, making everyone's lives difficult. Lao Er's only pleasure in life is his affection for their dog, Cala. One night, the unregistered dog is taken away by the police, and Lao Er is given until 4 p.m. the next day to come up with the 5,000 yen registration fees or lose his friend. Given that the fine is the cost of feeding his family for six months, Lao Er despairs that he may never raise the cash. Lao Er then embarks on a frantic search across the city; talking with strangers, friends and acquaintances-but will Lao Er's efforts be enough to reunite him with his beloved pooch? - Al Owens