Samson Films’ Irish / Slovakian / Czech Republic co-production ‘Foxes’, written and directed by Mira Fornayova (Alzbeta), will receive its Irish Cinematic Release in the Lighthouse Cinema on Friday, April 9th. Producer David Collins talked to IFTN about his involvement with the project and why he thinks it’s a “brave” film.
‘Foxes’ tells the story of a Slovakian au pair who comes to live in Dublin on the insistence of her sister, who has married an Irishman. The two sisters carry a dark secret from their home country, which manifests itself in the form of a strange new friend in Dublin. The film stars Czech / Slovakian actors Reka Derzsiova in her feature film debut; Jitka Joskova (Bájecná léta pod psa) and Rita Banczi alongside Irish actors Aaron Monaghan (Ella Enchanted) and Jonathan Byrne (The Honeymooners).
’Foxes’ began production on 20th July 2008. Producers on the film are Brian Willis (Short Order), Samson Films’ David Collins (Once), Juraj Buzalka (Skleníková Venusa) for Slovakia’s Miras and Viktor Schwartz (The Wild Bees) from the Czech Republic’s Cineart. The director of photography is Tomás Sysel (O ZIivot). ‘Foxes’ is funded by the Irish Film Board, Eurimages, Czech TV, the Czech and Slovak Film Fund and Section 481.
The film’s producer David Collins explains how Samson Films got involved with the project, telling IFTN: “Samson has been working for years in Europe and we like working with young European filmmakers where there’s a potential Irish element in their projects. I also liked the subject of the film – the examination of the movement of young people in Europe. It’s interesting to explore the Irish experience and that of other European people.”
The film cost just over €1 million to make and was shot in Dublin for five weeks followed by one week in the Czech Republic. ‘Foxes’ locations see a juxtapositioning of swish apartments and grotty flats - a feature of which David is very much a fan. “I don’t think Dublin has been seen like this before.” he says. “The contrast is fascinating –squats in Dublin and then the high gloss, rather remote architecture of the bachelor pad which compliment each other fantastically.”
The film’s writer and director, Mira has made the bold choice of presenting her audiences with a lead character who is less than sympathetic. David agrees that audiences might find this move a challenging one but applauds Mira’s decision. “I love the bravery of it!” he says. “We have this lead character who is so in your face - which I think is brilliant. Mira’s point was, I think, was that there are people like that so why don’t we approach that and be unsentimental about it. Essentially it’s a story about sexual jealousy between two sisters which I think Mira has captured in a brilliant and unconventional way.”
When asked about his interpretation of the film’s title David puts it as eloquently as he can. “There is this idea of a ‘foxy lady,” he says, before continuing, “I think there are people like foxes who are shy but they react violently when cornered and I think there’s a lot of this in our lead character.”
Finally, when asked if he is hoping for a specific response from audiences, David becomes increasingly passionate. “I hope people respond strongly to it,” he begins. “It is very unconventional so not everyone will like it which is fair enough. But I do hope people will approach it with an open mind. I think it would be great if people from the local Slovak and Czech communities were to go check it out.”
’Foxes’ opens in Dublin’s Lighthouse Cinema from Friday, April 9th.
