Les chiens

The 2022 short film 'Les Chiens' is a compact, yet intriguing, existential exploration of life's choice, memory and aging. Set against the backdrop of a sunny seaside bench in Nice, France, the film follows Denise and Jean-Yves-two septuagenarian former burglars -as they await a mysterious signal. What begins as a seemingly straightforward premise of two bickering old friends unravels into a poignant and unsettling meditation on time, identity, and purpose.

As their memories waver, the film suggests they are trapped in an unending loop, perhaps confined by circumstance or their own minds. Minimalist settings and symbolic imagery create an almost hypnotic experience, highlighting the characters' internal struggles.

As its title suggests, 'Les Chiens' is a reference to Diogenes the Cynic, a Greek philosopher who wanted to live and be buried "like a dog," symbolizing a life lived freely and a meditation on how one is remembered.