The Swedish classic from 1985 was praised by Michael Jackson

Did you know that Michael Jackson loved the Swedish classic movie “My Life as a Dog” that he arranged a meeting with Anton Glanzelius.

Today, Lasse Hallström is an established director in Hollywood with films such as “Gilbert Grape” (1993), “The Cider House Rules” (1999), “Chocolat” (2000), “Salmon Fishing in Yemen” (2011) and “100 Steps from Bombay to Paris” (2014).

But he began his career with Brasse Brännström and Magnus Härenstam comedies as well as music documentaries such as “Abba – the Movie” (1977) and “Gyllene Tider – Parkliv” (1981). However, everything changed with the comedy-drama “My Life as a Dog” (1985), one of Sweden’s most successful 80s films.

The film is based on Reidar Jönsson’s semi-autobiographical novel and follows 12-year-old Ingemar (Anton Glanzelius) in the 1950s. When his mother becomes seriously ill, he is sent to live with his uncle (Tomas von Brömssen) in Småland where he becomes acquainted with a number of eccentric characters, including tomboy and soccer player Saga (Melinda Kinnaman).

The film was a huge success, winning both Guldbagge Awards (for Best Picture and Actor), Golden Globe (for Best Foreign Language Film) and Oscar nominations (for Best Director and Screenplay). The film provided a one-way ticket to Hollywood for Hallström. His first attempt, “Once Around” (1991) flopped, but the popular “Gilbert Grape” led to more successful titles.

Anton Glanzelius met Michael Jackson for the first time when he was 13. Michael had seen the movie “My life as a dog” and had enjoyed it so much he invited him to his home Neverland. Michael had seen the movie twice, the second time with his mother. The movie was very special to him but Michael never revealed why or what the movie meant to him.

As a 13 year old growing up in Southern Gothenburg, he had no idea who Michael Jackson was. “I ran to the neighbors’ house and asked them if they had any records with Michael Jackson. I wanted to see what he looked like.” Anton arrived in Neverland along with his mother.

“I remember walking around and meeting his lama and a giant snake. Then he went to wake Bubbles up and brought him downstairs. Bubbles was wearing a red t-shirt and a diaper and he shook my hand. I thought it was more strange to meet a chimpanzee than Michael Jackson. He had a room filled with candy and I ate as much as I wanted.”

Anton explains that he was probably too young to realize the greatness of his friendship with the King of Pop. “As a child, you have a different perspective,” he says. He describes his friend as “very kind-hearted and humble”.

Anton also spent the evening in Michael’s bedroom, watching movies and eating candy.”I tried to make him show a few moves but he wouldn’t, he was so shy! He said that it was different to perform in front of 50 000 people. We talked about everything from football and fame, to girls and love… It was impossible for me to understand what it was like to be a superstar in the US, I was just 14 years old. I probably asked him some really stupid questions,” he laughs. On stage he was an artist who influenced the world. In private, he was very shy. “He was a very ordinary guy who lived an extreme life from early on.”

When Michael came to Gothenburg in 1989, he contacted Anton. “It was such an amazing and fun experience as a 14-year old to have the entire Liseberg to ourselves.” Anton remembers that they rode the rollercoaster “Loopen”, Michael’s favourite ride in the park, a dozen times.

“He was laughing constantly, we had so much fun.” The marketing director of Liseberg, Pelle Johansson, had been working the first half of -89 to bring Michael Jackson to the amusement park. Michael was going to hold a concert at Erikberg, Gothenburg, and the owners of Liseberg saw their chance to put the amusement park on the map. They made hundreds of phone calls and sent letters to Michael’s managers, but it was still uncertain whether he was going to show up.

“We didn’t think it would actually work. The huge media coverage made it hard for him to even leave the hotel and get here,” Johansson says.

Michael Jackson arrived with his friend Anton and a company of approximately 100 people. “We closed the park and they were able to move as they pleased in the park without any photographers or journalists. The only thing we asked in return was his handprint.”

The roofs were filled with photographers trying to get a picture of the smiling Michael. The visit lasted 3-4 hours. Michael and Anton also rode the bumper cars, which he really enjoyed.

“He was fooling around and laughing and we were chasing each other trying to get a hit. He was such a sweet, humble, warm and lovely person.”

The last time Michael and Anton met was in 1992 in Stockholm. They kept in touch via letters and Michael often sent him packages with presents and videos. “We were pretty close but then we just lost contact, I don’t remember why,” he says. Anton remembers Michael with fondness, and was in shock to hear the news of the star’s death. “It’s so devastating. I don’t want to believe it. It’s not ok, he was just 50 years old, it’s way too soon.”

When the allegations came along, Anton confirmed to the press that Michael never made any advances and kept defending the King of Pop.

You can see “My Life as a Dog” tonight on Swedish Channel SVT1 at 21:50.

And here the trailer for the curious: