An inheritance won’t necessarily make all your troubles go away. In any case, not for Mill Knepper (played by André Jung) and Victor ‘Schumi’ Schumacher (played by Luc Feit), two old friends who haven’t seen each other in years. Both now in their 60s, they inherit Little Duke after the death of their adoptive father, O’Hara. The Irish pub is located in the idyllic lower town neighbourhood in the Luxembourg capital. The place is long past its best and is now heavily in debt. It’s in need of a renovation, yet property developers looking to transform the area have got their eye on the site. They’re in a dilemma: should the two friends, who haven’t always succeeded in life, make a fresh start as they hit retirement and bring the pub back to life? Or should they cave in to the pressure of the property developers? This film traces the difficult yet wise journey of two men – one a realist, the other an incorrigible optimist – through the world of the rich and powerful. “This feature film is a critique on Luxembourg, a country that has become too expensive for part of its population. For example, many people cross the border to be able to buy a house. To survive, young people have to live with their parents for longer before they can afford to rent somewhere,” explains producer Paul Thiltges.
For this film, whose music is by Serge Tonnar, Andy Bausch surrounded himself with well-known figures from Luxembourg cinema, half of whom are women. “I chose actors I knew as well as others I’d never worked with before, like Mayson, who plays a child and who was the hardest character to find. I’ve worked with Luc Feit many times before, and this time he plays one of the main roles. All the characters are people on the margins of society. I’m deeply affected by those who struggle to survive,” explains the director.
After filming several comedies, Andy Bausch next took a more serious direction, first with Rusty Boys, tackling the theme of growing old, and now following on in the same direction with Little Duke. “My actors and I are growing older and family has an important role to play. There is more emotion in my films today.”
Screened in cinemas across the country, the director’s latest feature film could soon be shown abroad at international festivals.
Little Duke can be seen in theatres since 26 April.
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AUTEUR: SOPHIE DUBOIS (MAISON MODERNE) — PHOTO: PAUL THILTGES DISTRIBUTIONS