THE DOG, the documentary on the true story that inspired Dog Day Afternoon is shared with the trailer and clips from the film, plus an extensive interview from filmmakers Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren. What was the real story behind John Wojtowicz, and how did he become the unlikely hero of gay rights after he gained notoriety by robbing a bank? The strange true story is illuminated in this BYOD full length episode, hosted by Ondi Timoner.
FILM AND GUEST INFO:
Coming of age in the 1960s, John Wojtowicz’ libido was unrestrained even by the libertine standards of the era, with multiple wives and lovers, both women and men. In August 1972, he attempted to rob a Brooklyn bank to finance his lover’s sex- reassignment surgery, resulting in a fourteen-hour hostage situation that was broadcast live on television. Three years later, John was portrayed by Al Pacino as “Sonny,” and his crime immortalized in one of the most iconic New York movies of all time, Dog Day Afternoon. The film had a profound influence on Wojtowicz (who pronounced his name “Woto-wits”), and when he emerged from a six-year prison term, he was known by his nickname: “The Dog.” Drawing upon extraordinary archival footage, the film shuffles between the 1970s and the 2000s. Touching upon the sexual revolution of the 1970s, we gain a first- hand perspective on New York’s historical gay liberation movement in which Wojtowicz played an active role. In later footage, he remains a subversive force, backed by the unconditional love and headstrong wit of his mother Terry. The hows and whys of the bank robbery are recounted in gripping detail by Wojtowicz and various eyewitnesses, and don’t necessarily always align with one another. Directors Allison Berg & Frank Keraudren began filming The Dog in 2002, and their long-term dedication pays off in this unforgettable portrait capturing all of the subject’s complexity. John is, by turns, lovable, maniacal, heroic, and self-destructive. To call him larger than life feels like an understatement. Passionate and profane, The Dog makes no apologies for being who he is: “Live every day as if it’s your last and whoever doesn’t like it can go fuck themselves and a rubber duck.”
Allison Berg is an award-winning filmmaker who directs and produces feature- length documentary films and television documentary series.
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EPISODE BREAKDOWN
00:01 Welcome to BYOD
00:09 Introducing Allison Burg and Frank Keraudren, co-directors of The Dog.
02:15 How and why the directors chose John Wojtowicz as the subject for their documentary.
04:00 What it was like meeting Wojtowicz for the first time.
05:15 Wojtowicz’s mother’s role in the film and larger themes.
06:25 Trailer for The Dog.
08:00 what it was like to make a film with Wojtowicz.
08:55 What was the vision for the documentary and how did that change?
10:45 John Wojtowicz defines the difference between sex and love.
14:20 Wojtowicz’s second wife Liz/Ernie as New York’s first gay wedding?
16:05 Clip from The Dog regarding the wedding.
20:45 Who is the audience and what has the audience reception been like?
24:25 How making a documentary over a decade affected Burg and Keraudren.
29:35 Wojtowicz’s unique characteristics.
32:30 Where to find the documentary.
33:50 Thank you and goodbye.
34:20 Final clip from The Dog.