Filmed in Petaluma, ‘Dog Lover’ premieres tonight

Ali Afshar’s new film, shot at various spots around his hometown of Petaluma, opens with a gala event Friday night.|

“The Dog Lover: The Wrong Side of Right,” a new film produced by Petaluma native Ali Afshar, will have its Northern California premiere Friday, July 8 at the Boulevard 14 Cinemas in Petaluma.

Filmed at several Petaluma sites during 2014, the movie follows the story of an animal rights activist (played by “Days of Our Lives” actress Allison Paige) who goes to work at a suspected “puppy mill,” breeding dogs under inhumane conditions.

The guest list for the event includes Afshar, Page, film actor George Kosturos, former Petaluma City Councilman Mike Harris and Camilla Gray-Nelson, a trainer at Dairydell Canine Training in Petaluma.

The evening opens at 5:30 p.m. with red carpet arrivals at Boulevard 14 Cinemas, 200 C St., and includes a post-screening Q&A session with Afshar and Page after the sold-out 6:30 p.m. showing.

An after party is planned at the La Dolce Vita Wine Bar, 151 Petaluma Blvd. S. The film also will be shown at 9:30 p.m.

The producer also will make an appearance at 5:30 p.m. Saturday for a screening on his film at the Sonoma 9 Cinemas, 200 Siesta Way, Sonoma.

Afshar grew up on his family’s Petaluma ranch on Old Adobe Road and attended Old Adobe Elementary and Kenilworth Junior High, graduating from Casa Grande High School in 1991.

An actor and professional race car driver, Afshar formed the ESX Entertainment production company with Forrest Lucas, owner of Lucas Oil Products, which owns naming rights to the Indianapolis Colts NFL stadium, the cable network MATV and other enterprises.

Afshar has filmed other movies in Sonoma County, including “Running Wild,” starring Oscar-nominated actress Sharon Stone, and “American Wrestler: The Wizard,” about an Iranian refugee who becomes a high school wrestling star.

“The Dog Lover” also stars Lea Thompson and James Remar.

For more information on “The Dog Lover,” visit thedoglovermovie.com.

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