There is a gentle whimsy to Nora Nivedita Tvedt’s film Small Dogs Bark Loud as it tackles the challenging subject of childhood loss and trauma with both warmth and compassion, and while the bond between a fluffy small white dog and a 12-year-old Norwegian girl forms the spine of the film, at heart it aims to dwell on how we all process love, grief and fear.
Whimsy comes with director Tvedt’s providing film voices for all of the animals in the film – whether they be dogs, cats or cattle – offering an alternate narrative to young Tuni’s life as she struggles to deal with the unexpected death of a much-loved older brother and the fact that her mother is living with cancer.
Not that her puppy Salto isn’t also a challenge at times. A yappy, bouncy and very alert dog (he is a white Maltipoo who is also one-eighth Chihuahua) who barks at other animals and is always pulling at his leash, his voice-over tells us he is also concerned about how Tuni is dealing with a deep-rooted sadness and wants to do his bit to help her.
Tuni loves bead bracelets, pastel colours and fish balls in white sauce with tartlet shells, and grew up with her mother, father and three older brothers. At home there is also Salto and the black cat Pus. According to Tuni: “I do cheerleading, but am afraid of heights and also scared of the dark and tunnels…and I don’t like sleeping with the door closed.”
She talks sadly about her older brother Hakon, how he seemed afraid of nothing and was “funny and kind…always there for me.” But there is a desperately sad undertow. “He tried to be happy but he was hurting on the inside.” Hakon took his own life on his birthday.
Tuni got Salto a few months after her brother died, and talking of her dog says: “I find some kind of peace when I speak to him.” Her mother asks her what makes her happy. “Cheerleading, family and chocolate,” Tuni replies, but she has moments of sadness and so decides to make a bucket list of things to do – top of the list is visiting Hakon’s grave. But she can’t yet bring herself to do it, so decides to put “get Salto to stop barking” at the top of the list.
The film gently follows her young life through the seasons – playing in a lake with family, taking Salto out in the snow and selling friendship bracelets in aid of ‘Mental Health Youth’ – with Salto’s commentary sitting alongside Tuni and her family. When her mother has to start chemotherapy again and Tuni and her brother Kristoffer shave her hair it is Salto who admits, “I can’t stand watching this”.
But at heart Salto brings friendship and warmth and love to Tuni and her family, and as the young girl starts to get braver and find moments of joy to balance her sorrow, her little dog is there to scamper, play and keep on barking. It is a touching and gentle film, brimming with humour and compassion and highlights the strength of childhood resilience, and the unique bond between a girl and her dog.
The film comes to a close with Tuni a little older and braver, and riding on the back of her brother Hakon’s motorbike with her father handling the controls. She is excited after the ride and says she wants to get her own bike. “Hakon has inspired me,” she adds. Salto, though, is a little worried about accompanying her on two wheels…
Norway, 2025, 70mins
Dir: Nora Nivedita Tvedt
Production: LØV Film
International sales: Norsk filmdistribution
Producer: Lillian Løvseth
Cinematography: Runar Sørheim
Editors: Andreas Øhman
Music: Stein Berge Svendsen
With: Tuni Sofie Kolvik, Salto, Pus, Tone Dorothea Kolvik, Frode Kolkvik, Kristoffer Kolvik, Henrik Sander Kolvil, Hakon Marius Kolvik
