Rainer Fassbinder is one of two real-life figures who appear in person in Dogeaters. Fassbinder was the revolutionary filmmaker whose career typified the German New Cinema. In the play, he is portrayed as a flighty and esoteric mope who carries on a torrid affair with the hustler Joey Sands. They spend the whole of the film festival together and even attend a sex show together. Fassbinder claims to fall in love with Joey but does not agree to bring him back to Germany. The last morning they have together, Joey steals Fassbinder's camera. Fassbinder's treatment of Joey reflects Europe and America's historical treatment of the Philippines.