GPAA / MAGPS Seminar Cinema Series
Feature presentation: MY LIFE AS A DOG
This program was presented on April 25, 2008
Group Psychotherapy Alumni Association & Mid-Atlantic Group Psychotherapy Society
Hosts: Anna Lake & Eileen McClatchy
Friday, April 25, 2008
My Life As A Dog was filmed in Sweden and spoken in Swedish with English sub-titles. It was released in the USA, March 24, 1987.
This film presents itself as a Drama/Comedy and more. The main character, Ingemor is a young boy, eleven years of age, who struggles to understand the meaning of decisions adults make. Through this process, Ingemar attempts to cope with his own life's situations. He identifies with the downtrodden as a means to keep a perspective of his situations.
One example is his perception of the dog Laika, who was blasted into space in late 1950's without enough food. He searches for a reason for such an act by adults. He ponders this event and thus comes up with something that might have been good. "Not that it is a bad place to be away out there in space, where you can see things more clearly and try to figure them out. You have to compare so you can keep a perspective," he states. It is with this mode of reasoning that Ingomar applies to his sad situations with regard to his mother's illness, death, and the demands of adults, that he give his dog away temporarily, as he shuffles to and from family members. Again, he works to keep a perspective, to cope with his pain and sadness.
There are a number of tender memories that are depicted with Ingomar and his mother at a beach outing. Some of the "come of age erotic" developments in the film, which Ingomar finds himself engaged in are humorous. At these moments he appears naive. Without judgement or understanding. For Example, he finds himself an object as he helps adults either pose nude or their lustful interest in viewing nude women.
Schedule
Light Supper: 5:45 to 6:30
Film/Discussion: 6:30 to 9:30
IMPORTANT: Due to building security requirements, arrive before 6:15 Please maintain quiet in the hallways to respect therapy sessions in progress
Location
The Washington School of Psychiatry
5028 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC, 20016
Directions
CEU's: 2.5
Fee
A $10 contribution to cover food & wine will be collected.
Registration
Reservations suggested: Call 202-237-2700
You do not have to be a member of WSP/GPAA or MAGPS to attend.
Movie seating is limited so reserve your space early.