Stray Dog

Harley-Davidson, leather, huge tattooed biceps: At first glance, Ron “Stray Dog” Hall appears to be a bit of a tough guy, but behind the rugged biker exterior is a sensitive Vietnam veteran still suffering the traumatic experiences of war. Situated in the middle of Missouri’s no man’s land, Ron has lived on his own in a small trailer park for the past seven years. He now wants to begin a new life with his wife Alicia, who recently emigrated from Mexico, and her sons. An ‘American Dream’ comes true – but what dreams are to be had in this poverty-stricken corner of the US? STRAY DOG is the portrait of a charismatic outsider and an analysis of America’s burning social problems: The trauma of war, poverty and immigration. Director Debra Granik met her protagonist while shooting her award-winning debut work WINTER’S BONE. STRAY DOG remains in the same setting, but ventures into the field of non-fiction. The result is a film in the best American Direct Cinema tradition.