“The Trial of the Dog” directed by Laetitia Dosch
Synopsis
Avril, a lawyer accustomed to losing cases, makes herself a promise: she will win her next case!
But when Dariuch, a client as desperate as his case, asks her to defend his faithful companion Cosmos, Avril’s convictions are put to the test. Thus begins an unexpected and turbulent trial: the trial of the dog.
Laetitia Dosch delivers a bold debut feature
that questions our relationship with justice and animal rights
Laetitia Dosch: A unique voice in committed cinema
In a cinematic landscape often dominated by conventional narratives, Laetitia Dosch emerges as a unique and deeply committed voice.
At this year’s Champs Élysées Film Festival, I had the chance to discover The Trial of the Dog, her first feature film, in the presence of the director.
The film was well-received by the audience, who eagerly engaged with Dosch during the Q&A session following the screening.
A rare subject in cinema, based on a true story
Inspired by a true event that occurred in Switzerland, where a dog was put on trial for repeated biting incidents, this film goes beyond the confines of comedy to offer a reflection on our society.
With her inimitable style, Laetitia Dosch invites us to question justice, animal rights, and the place of the individual in often absurd and dehumanizing institutions.
The trial of Cosmos, the dog, is a metaphor for the way both animals and people like the protagonist Avril are trapped in a world that seeks to define, domesticate, and even destroy them.
Avril: An everyday heroine
A lawyer specializing in lost causes, Avril begins the film as a victim. Mocked by her peers, sexually harassed by her superior (played by Pierre Deladonchamps), she is constantly underestimated.
However, as the story progresses, she takes control of her destiny and refuses to be defined by others. The comedic potential of the story is further enhanced by François Damiens and Jean-Pascal Zadi.
A reflection on anthropomorphism and justice
This film is not just a comedy. It is also a reflection on anthropomorphism and our tendency to project our emotions onto animals.
From the beginning of her career, Laetitia Dosch has been interested in marginalized voices, in those who exist outside societal norms, and this film is a continuation of that interest.
It was also well-received at the Cannes Film Festival this year, marking a significant milestone in Dosch’s career.
