dolphin

Malcom J. Brenner, 63, says he fell in love with a dolphin in Florida during the 1970s.

(Associated Press file photo)

Malcom J. Brenner has gone public with his love affair.

It's not just any fling -- the 63-year-old from Perth Amboy claims to have fallen in love with a dolphin.

"My name is Malcom J. Brenner and this is the story of how I fell in love with Dolly the Dolphin," he says in a trailer for "Dolphin Lover," a new, award-winning short documentary.

In 2010, Brenner, who now lives in Florida, wrote "Wet Goddess," a novel about a college student who falls in love with a captive, bottle-nosed dolphin. "Dolphin Lover," which is based on the book, premiered earlier this year at Utah's Slamdance Film Festival.

Filmmakers Kareem Tabsch Joey Daoud decided to make the film after reading the book. Daoud is an award-winning documentarian and film editor.

The 15-minute movie, while riling animal rights advocates, created a buzz at the Slamdance Film Festival.

"Although the film's editing, animation, sound and archival footage is quite good, I'm glad it's not longer," wrote a reviewer for Salt Lake Magazine.

The film received an honorable mention at the festival, which is held in Park City, Utah.

Brenner, who moved from Perth Amboy when he was 9, claims the book and movie are autobiographical. The affair took place in a Florida amusement park in the 1970s.

"When I would get in the water, she would approach me, unafraid," Brenner says in another trailer. "She would solicit attention."

In an interview published in Jezebel last month, Brenner attributed his zoophilia to molestation at the hands of a childhood psychiatrist. Still, he compares zoophilia to interracial dating and hopes society will one day become accepting.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.