A few years back, Claire Denis mentioned that she believed “Both Sides of the Blade” and “Stars at Noon” would be her final films amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The filmmaker ended up releasing both films in 2022, they won prizes at Berlin and Cannes. Would these really be the final films for the 79-year-old French auteur?
Apparently not.
Denis’ “The Fence,” shot in Cameroon, is set to world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and will then screen at NYFF a few weeks later.
“The Fence” stars Mia McKenna-Bruce, Matt Dillon, and the great Isaach de Bankolé. A first look image was released by NYFF, and can be seen above. Here’s the synopsis:
As project supervisor Horn is welcoming his young partner Léone into the hut he shares with young and impetuous engineer Cal, a black man called Alboury appears outside the railings surrounding their quarters. Inflexible, hovering like a ghost in the darkness, he is determined to stay there until they return the body of his brother to him, who was killed on the site.
Suzanne Lindon (“Spring Blossom”) and Andrew Litvack (“Stars at Noon”) co-wrote the film which was very likely passed on by Venice. No surprise there. Much like Cannes, they’re hot and cold when it comes to Denis’ films, having rejected “High Life” in 2018.
Denis is, arguably, France's most globally acclaimed living female director. Her notable works include “Chocolat,” “35 Shots of Rum,” “Beau Travail,” “The Intruder,” and “White Material.”