Dinner with Lâchez les chiens (Release the Hounds)

An interview with Manue Fleytoux, director of Lâchez les chiens (Release the Hounds)

 What do the dogs represent here?
You’re free to interpret. For me, the dogs are the thin-skinned animal nature of the character Anouck, on the one hand, and on the other, at the end of the film you could say that the hounds have been released. Our characters run together towards new horizons, towards new conflagrations.

 Is Anouk torn by anything other than the conflict between her boyfriend and her brother?
Those two incompatible males are cumbersome, but Anouck also has to jostle for position to make herself heard. She’s been keeping this explosive situation at arm’s length for a long time. She gets hit in the crossfire – she’s a real sport that girl! It’s time for her to fight back.

 Why did you choose an Irish actor to play the role of the boyfriend?
From the writing stages, the boyfriend’s character spoke another language in order for us to push the communication barrier between the two men to its extreme. That way there’s a language for the siblings and another for the lovers, with Anouck hanging in the middle, the only one who understands everything and who has to play the go-between. I wasn’t too bothered about the specific language, and when I met Simon Boyle, the Irish actor who plays the character, and saw his work, the choice was obvious from the human and artistic points of view.

 Can you tell us more about the film’s location?
After a lengthy search, we agreed on this little house that we had to furnish, fill, overflow… It was right next to a train track where more than 120 trains passed every day! We bet that we would still be able to make the film, sliding in between the trains. It was an athletic accomplishment. Or ludicrous. Or completely stupid. But it worked.

 What sort of freedom would you say the short format allows? 
Absolutely. The short film format is a topic in itself: “If it works, we’re gonna to have a rock duo pop up right in the middle of their lawn. Don’t worry, it’s gonna be great – it’s a short film, it’s about experimenting!” Short films are little rascals. I love them.

 If you’ve already been to Clermont-Ferrand, could you share with us an anecdote or story from the festival? If not, what are your expectations for this year?
First time! I would love to eat up lots of films and meet people along the way.

Lâchez les chiens is being shown in National Competition F1.