Every year, French-speaking countries and organisations all over the world celebrate the French language and diverse Francophone cultures through cultural events, happenings and screenings in March. On March 10, the Swiss film Le Procès du Chien (Dog on Trial) will be screened for free, sharing the wild tale of a dog who… goes to court.

The film is the first feature movie by actress, director and writer, Laetitia Dosch and is inspired by true events – several real cases, where dog owners were tried for the actions of their animals, including one that reached the European Court of Human Rights.

Dog on Trial tells the story of Avril (Dosch), an independently minded lawyer known for taking on lost causes and believing in justice. However, when Dariuch, another seemingly hopeless client, asks her to defend his faithful canine companion Cosmos, Avril is unable to resist.

She dives into the absurdity of defending a canine client, confronting not only the legal system but also advocating for both women’s and animal rights. A lively and at times comical court case unfolds – where a dog’s life hangs in the balance.

Swiss law equates the dog Cosmos with a thing, not an individual. All it took was for the dog’s status to change – he was no longer a thing, but a person – for everything to become instantly surreal. Suddenly, the charismatic dog is called to the stand for biting three people.

The film will be screened in its original version, in French with English subtitles at the Pantheon in Nicosia on Monday at 8.30pm in cooperation with the Friends of Cinema Society.

Dog on Trial

Swiss film screening, part of Francophonie month. March 10. Pantheon Cinema, Nicosia. 8pm. In French with English subtitles. Free entrancce