Dogging in Central Park

Dogging in Central Park is the feature film debut of writer/director Joseph Carney and his second project with producer Rebecca Steele (Riceboy Sleeps). The film is a deeply-felt romantic comedy, fusing the oneiric limerance of offbeat classics like Lost in Translation & Before Sunrise with the humour, propulsion, and visual panache of cultural landmarks like Trainspotting & Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Dogging in Central Park follows two Canadian expats - labourer Adam and aspiring actor Sukie - who fall in love over a Thanksgiving long weekend in New York City. As all the young Americans vacate the city to return to their family homes, our two Canadians protagonists are shocked to be left completely free, with no work or social commitments. After a chance meeting, they become friends and enter into an exciting and risky romance propelled by Adam’s unusual preoccupation with where sex occurs: he cannot have sex inside.

Bolstered by refreshing contemporary themes, expressionistic flourishes, and a strong, instantly recognizable visual style, Dogging in Central Park is a humanist refresh of the romantic comedy for a digital age where everyone wants to be somewhere and someone they’re not.

The film was selected for the 20th edition of Ontario Creates’ International Financing Forum running in partnership with TIFF.