The Fence (film)
| The Fence | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Claire Denis |
| Screenplay by | Suzanne Lindon Andrew Litvack Claire Denis |
| Based on | Black Battles With Dogs by Bernard-Marie Koltès |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Éric Gautier |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Tindersticks |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Les Films du Losange |
Release date |
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Running time | 105 minutes[1] |
| Country | France |
| Languages |
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The Fence (French: Le Cri des Gardes, lit. 'The Cry of the Guards') is an upcoming English-language French drama film directed by Claire Denis, written by Denis, Suzanne Lindon and Andrew Litvack, based on Bernard-Marie Koltès's play Black Battles with Dogs. It stars Tom Blyth, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Matt Dillon and Isaach De Bankolé.
The film will have its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival in 10 September 2025.
Cast
- Tom Blyth as Cal
- Mia McKenna-Bruce as Leonie
- Matt Dillon as Horn
- Isaach de Bankolé as Alboury
- Brian Begnan[1]
Production
In June 2023, Denis announced she had just finished the screenplay for her next project and would be returning to Cameroon later that same month to scout for locations.[2] In March 2024, she revealed the film would be titled The Fence.[3]
The film is adapted from Bernard-Marie Koltès's play Black Battles with Dogs and was written by Claire Denis, Suzanne Lindon and Andrew Litvack. Denis is also director. It is produced by Curiosa Films and Vixens alongside Goodfellas and Saint Laurent Productions, with Senegal's Astou Production and backing from Arte France Cinema.[4]
The cast is led by Mia McKenna-Bruce, Matt Dillon, and Isaach de Bankolé, with McKenna-Bruce replacing Riley Keough in January 2025. That month, Tom Blyth joined the cast.[5][6]
In September 2024, it was announced that shooting for the film, now renamed The Cry of the Guards (Le Cri des Gardes), would take place in January and February 2025 in Senegal.[7] In January 2025, Variety reported that Blyth was in Senegal for filming on the project.[8] In February 2025, Deadline Hollywood reported that filming was underway, with the film reverting back to the title The Fence.[9]
Release
The Fence will have its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival in 10 September 2025.[1] It will screen at the 2025 New York Film Festival.[10]
International sales are handled by Goodfellas. Les Films du Losange will distribute the film in France.[11]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "The Fence". TIFF. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ Armitstead, Claire (9 June 2023). "'Protege! Would you use that word for a man?' Claire Denis on rum, Africa and rethinking MeToo". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ Dalton, Ben (5 March 2024). "Claire Denis talks new Africa-set film 'The Fence', and why she will never retire". Screen International. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ Stephan, Katcy (21 January 2025). "Tom Blyth Boards Claire Denis' 'The Cry of the Guards'". Variety. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (21 January 2025). "Tom Blyth Joins Claire Denis' 'The Cry Of The Guards'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ Newman, Nick (14 January 2025). "Clare Denis' The Cry of the Guards finds new lead with Mia McKenna Bruce; Production begins this month". The Film Stage. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ Lemercier, Fabien (30 September 2024). "Arte France Cinéma is backing Arnaud Desplechin's Une affaire and Claire Denis' Le Cri des Gardes". Cineuropa. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ Malkin, Marc (26 January 2025). "Tom Blyth on Playing a Closeted Gay Cop in 'Plainclothes' and His 'Intimate, Really Vivid' Sex Scenes With Russell Tovey". Variety. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (5 February 2025). "Goodfellas Unveils Star-Studded EFM Slate With New Films By Cristian Mungiu, Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Claire Denis, Saeed Roustaee, Mario Martone, Raoul Peck & Fresh Berlinale Acquisition". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (5 August 2025). "New York Film Festival Unveils 2025 Lineup: George Clooney's 'Jay Kelly,' 'Sentimental Value,' Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice'". Variety. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ "Le Cri des Gardes" (in French). Les Films du Losange. Retrieved 15 August 2025.