Animal rights in court: Swiss-French film wins first Palm Dog Award at Cannes

Swiss-French actor and director Laetitia Dosch took home an unprecedented award for Le Procès du Chien (Dog on Trial). She discusses her animal-whispering gifts and the serious issues behind the comedy. Last month at the Cannes Film Festival, while many attendees were cheering for Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winner Anora, Switzerland brought home an equally prestigious award, celebrated mostly by those with an acquired taste and a deep love for humans’ best friends: the Palm Dog. Starring in Dosch’s directorial debut Dog on Trial, eight-year-old Kodi plays Cosmos, a troubled and sometimes aggressive griffon who risks being put down after biting three people. He walks in the pawprints of fellow canine Messi, the star of last year’s winner of the Palme d’Or, Anatomie d’une chute (Anatomy of a fall) by Justine Triet. Unfortunately, Kodi was not available for interviews, but Dosch kindly agreed to talk to SWI swissinfo.ch about Dog on Trial on the windy terrace of the Palais des Festivals ...