Luxembourg’s First Western w/ Loïc Tanson

Listen to our podcast conversation with Loïc Tanson, director of The Last Ashes.

In our latest Showcast conversation, TFV‘s Matt Micucci speaks with Loïc Tanson, director of what has been defined as Luxemburg’s first western movie, The Last Ashes. The film is a modern Western set in Luxembourg from the early to mid-1800s and tells the story of a woman who returns to her native village under a new identity, looking for revenge against those who harmed her and her family.

In our conversation, we discuss this visionary feature directorial debut but also find out about Tanson’s journey, from his early cinephile memories to his formative experiences, working as a film critic and film editor.

In speaking about The Last Ashes, Tanson also talks about balancing genre conventions and universally resonant themes while drawing on the history and folklore of Luxembourg. We discuss the movie’s visual prowess, including the cinematography and sound design, and Sophie Mousel’s lead performance. Additionally, he shares his thoughts on the current state of Luxembourg’s film industry and whether he believes Luxembourg is a cinephile country.

Showcast is a series of candid podcast conversations from film festivals and film markets, presented by The Film Verdict and hosted by Matt Micucci.

(Featured photo: Samsa Film)