The Fence (film)

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 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	Gary Farkas[1] Olivier Delbosc Anthony Vaccarello[1]
Starring	Isaach de Bankolé Matt Dillon Mia McKenna-Bruce Tom Blyth
Cinematography	Éric Gautier
Edited by	Guy Lecorne Sandie Bompar
Music by	Tindersticks
Production companies	Arte France Cinéma Astou Films Curiosa Films Goodfellas Saint Laurent Productions Vixens
Distributed by	Les Films du Losange
Release date	10 September 2025 (2025-09-10) (TIFF)
Running time	105 minutes[1]
Country	France
Languages	English Yoruba[1]

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]