In this swinging Latvian animated film, children and a gang of dogs take to the barricades to defend their living environment.

Is simply demolishing everything old the only form of development? Or could old things be made as good as new through restoration? This fresh Latvian animated film explores issues of urban culture while telling the story of two cousins’ wild adventures – and a group of furry friends.
Jacob’s father leaves for a business trip for a week, leaving his reluctant son to stay with relatives in the Maskačka suburb of Riga. For Jacob, who is used to the hustle and bustle of the city, the old wooden building area is a punishment, and his cousin Mimmi does not seem to make for much of a friend either. Boring!
However, things soon change when a developer decides to build a huge skyscraper in the middle of Maskačka. Mimmi and Jacob resist. The park and the trees must remain as they are! But what can they do in a world of adults, going against excavators, money and horsepower?

Luckily, Mimmi and Jacob are joined at the barricades by a local gang of stray dogs who, in addition to their dog antics, speak human!

The film, directed by Edmunds Jansons, is based on the children’s book Dog Town by Luize Pastore. The heartwarming story centres around the collaboration between the cousins and the dogs and the power of imagination. The film’s delightful visual style is the work of illustrator Elina Brasliņa.

Written by: Katariina Rönnqvist, L&A 2019
Duration: 72 min
Official age rating: suitable for all ages
Recommended to: grades 3–6
Language: Latvian
Subtitles: Finnish
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