The Fence (film)
| The Fence | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| French | Le Cri des gardes |
| Directed by | Claire Denis |
| Screenplay by | Claire Denis Suzanne Lindon Andrew Litvack |
| Based on | Black Battles with Dogs by Bernard-Marie Koltès |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Éric Gautier |
| Edited by | Guy Lecorne |
| Music by | Tindersticks |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Les Films du Losange |
Release dates |
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Running time | 109 minutes[1] |
| Country | France |
| Languages |
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The Fence (French: Le Cri des gardes, lit. 'The Cry of the Guards') is a 2025 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 Isaach De Bankolé, Matt Dillon, Mia McKenna-Bruce and Tom Blyth.
The film had its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2025. It is scheduled to be theatrically released on 8 April 2026 by Les Films du Losange.
Cast
- Isaach de Bankolé as Alboury
- Matt Dillon as Horn
- Mia McKenna-Bruce as Leonie
- Tom Blyth as Cal
- Anta Niang
- Brian Begnan as Nouofia[2]
- Moussa Thiam as Moses
- Gaël Bere
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.[3] In March 2024, she revealed the film would be titled The Fence.[4]
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.[5] It is produced by Vixens, Curiosa Films, Saint Laurent Productions and Arte France Cinéma.[6]
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.[7][8]
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.[9] In January 2025, Variety reported that Blyth was in Senegal for filming on the project.[10] In February 2025, Deadline Hollywood reported that filming was underway, with the film reverting back to the title The Fence.[11]
Release
The Fence had its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2025.[2] It will screen at the 2025 New York Film Festival.[12]
International sales are handled by Goodfellas. Les Films du Losange will distribute the film in France on 8 April 2026.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Le Cri des Gardes" (in French). Les Films du Losange. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ Baughan, Nikki (24 September 2025). "'The Fence' review: Isaach de Bankolé roots Claire Denis' atmospheric West Africa thriller". Screen Daily. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
- ^ 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.