'The Year of the Dog' Trailer: A Heartfelt Story Of Two Strays [Exclusive]

As a kid, actor/filmmaker Rob Grabow moved around Alaska, where dog sledding, mushing, and weight pulling— as well as the humans and dogs that participate in those activities—are vibrant elements of the community. A few years back, Grabow met a dogsled musher who was having a difficult journey with alcoholism and addiction, who credited his sobriety in large part to one of his dogs; a high-spirited Alaskan husky.

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Written, directed, and starring Grabow, “The Year of the Dog” is a fictional story inspired by the above true story. The story follows Matt, an alcoholic at rock bottom struggling to maintain sobriety. After spending 48 hours in the drunk tank, Matt takes refuge at his sponsor, Fred’s farm, outside a close-knit Montana town in hopes of reaching 30 days sober so he can visit his mother in hospice. Matt, who is short-fused, stubborn, and erratic, discovers a stray dog that he keeps regardless of Fred’s objections. The dog, Yup’ik, proves to be a handful and has the same personality as his new owner; he’s stubborn, erratic, and short-fused. Though Matt isn’t equipped to take care of Yup’ik, the dog bonds himself to Matt and actually ends up helping Matt live and accomplish his goals. 

The film is Grabow’s first feature film, but it has a stellar cast, including Michael Spears, Jon Proudstar, Jeff Medley, and Alyssa Groenig; and, Caleb stars as Yup’ik. The film will be distributed by Nova Vento Entertainment and was also co-directed by Michael Peterson and Andrew McGinn

The film will premiere at the Chelsea Film Festival, which runs from October 13 to 16, 2022. Ahead of the premiere, the film will have special screenings from September 30 to October 30, 2022, in the largest and closest theaters of five of Montana’s seven Agencies (Flathead Reservation, Blackfeet Reservation, Rocky Boy’s Reservation, Fort Belknap Reservation, and Fort Peck Reservation).

The trailer, which is deeply heartfelt and moving, can be watched below. We also have the poster exclusively below as well.

The Year of The Dog