Music Box Films’ genre label Doppelgänger Releasing has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Toby Jones’ upbeat and surreal comedy “AJ Goes to the Dog Park.”
Jones’ credits as a writer and storyboard artist include the Emmy-nominated animated series “Regular Show.” This is his first feature film.
The film is about an ordinary man who enjoys a simple life in the midwestern haven of Fargo, North Dakota. When his favorite dog park is taken away, it begins a chain reaction that completely upends his existence and sends him on “an unforgettable odyssey to fight, fish, scrap, scrape, and sap things back into place,” according to a statement.
“AJ Goes to the Dog Park” was shot in Fargo, Jones’ hometown, and stars Fargo native A.J. Thompson.
The film, which had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, screens on April 25, April 29 and May 2 at the Milwaukee Film Festival with Jones in attendance on the latter two dates. Doppelgänger plans to open the film theatrically on July 25 with a home entertainment release to follow. Cartuna will be handling the Blu-ray release.
Music Box Films said: “Doppelgänger Releasing has always had a pretty expansive definition of genre cinema, ranging from folk horror and home invasion thrillers to heavy metal comedies and medical chillers. ‘AJ Goes to the Dog Park’ is something else again, an earnest, ingratiating alt-comedy riff that bounces from one gag to another with alacrity. We look forward to bringing ‘AJ Goes to the Dog Park’ to a theater–or dog park, or blog park–near you.”
Jones said: “We shot ‘AJ Goes to the Dog Park’ in Fargo, ND on nights and weekends over the course of three years, just because we wanted to create something completely surreal and absurd. We are elated to work with Doppelgänger Releasing on bringing this movie to a much wider audience, some of whom will hopefully laugh upon seeing the jokes.”
Executive producer James Belfer said: “Toby is truly one of the emerging masters of handcrafted cinema. His authenticity as a filmmaker has birthed a zany and genuine vision that is by far the film most representative of Fargo.”
The sale of the film was negotiated by Brian Andreotti of Doppelgänger Releasing and Liz Manashil on behalf of the filmmakers.
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