No Fear, No Die

No Fear, No Die

Year: 1990

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: French

Director: Claire Denis

Drama

Dah and Jocelyn come from former French colonies to coach their rooster, “S’en fout la mort”, for an illicit cock-fight in the basement of a restaurant.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – No Fear, No Die (1990)

Trace every key event in No Fear, No Die (1990) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Dah and Jocelyn form an illegal cockfighting partnership

Dah, from Benin, and Jocelyn, from the Caribbean, decide to work together to run a cockfighting operation for quick cash. Dah handles the financial transactions while Jocelyn trains the birds, including the prized No Fear. They set up shop in Pierre's space, initiating their illegal venture.

Pierre's cockfighting venue, Paris
2

Pierre pressures for more violence

Pierre, the owner of the space, constantly haggles over money and pushes for more violent fights. He urges the use of steel spurs and razor blades to heighten spectacle and profit. His greed puts the partners under increasing pressure and seeds distrust.

Pierre's venue
3

Pierre hints he slept with Jocelyn's mother

Pierre insinuates that he slept with Jocelyn's mother, exposing old wounds and stirring resentment. The accusation strains the fragile trust between the partners and foreshadows deeper betrayals. The atmosphere turns more volatile as money and loyalty clash.

Pierre's venue
4

Jocelyn sinks into despondency and obsession

Jocelyn grows despondent, drinking heavily, and fixates on Toni, Pierre's wife. He even names one of the roosters after her, blurring the line between work, desire, and danger. The mood darkens as the cockfights become more than a job.

Cockfighting venue
5

Jocelyn releases the roosters after drinking

One drunken night, Jocelyn opens the cages, letting the birds loose. The escape reveals his unstable state and the fragility of their operation. Dah and Jocelyn realize Pierre's regime of violence is spiraling out of control.

Cockfighting venue
6

Pierre locks them in and pushes steel spurs

Pierre locks Dah and Jocelyn in and insists on using steel spurs for the fights that night. The demand reveals his greed and willingness to harm animals for profit. Enraged, Jocelyn breaks out and flees to Paris, with Dah in pursuit to salvage their venture.

Cockfighting venue to Paris
7

Dah tracks Jocelyn to Paris and convinces him to return

Dah locates Jocelyn in Paris and persuades him to come back for one final night of fighting. The two try to salvage the operation despite the escalating violence and threats. The decision marks a last, doomed attempt to hold onto their illicit enterprise.

Paris
8

The final night at Pierre's venue

Back in Paris, the final night at Pierre's venue approaches as the ring is prepared for a climactic fight. Toni's presence looms as a possible escape route, while Pierre's greed drives the spectacle to dangerous extremes. The atmosphere is charged with desperation and looming tragedy.

Pierre's cockfighting venue, Paris
9

Toni asks to leave with them after the fight

After the fight, Toni asks Jocelyn to take her with them when they leave. He refuses, choosing loyalty to Dah and the birds over personal attachment. The moment underscores the personal costs of their illegal enterprise.

post-fight Ring/venue
10

Pierre's match between Toni's rooster and a rival rooster

Pierre arranges a match between Toni's rooster and a rival rooster brought by his gypsy business partners. The setup heightens danger and blurs lines between sport and exploitation. Jocelyn's attachment to his birds makes him reluctant to watch.

final night Pierre's venue
11

Jocelyn intervenes in the ring and is stabbed

Unable to watch his champion die, Jocelyn jumps into the ring to rescue the bird. Michel, Pierre's son and Toni's lover, stabs him before he can escape. Dah witnesses the betrayal as violence erupts and the night spirals into tragedy.

during the final fight In the ring at Pierre's venue
12

Dah is arrested along with others

Dah cleans up after the chaos, but the authorities arrest him along with Toni, Michel, and other members of the cockfighting ring. The operation collapses under legal pressure and personal betrayals come to light. The illicit enterprise begins to unravel in a harsh finality.

after the fight Paris, at the venue / police custody
13

Dah is released and leaves

After a period in custody, Dah is released. He packs his few possessions and leaves, stepping away from the life of illegal fighting. The film closes on Dah's quiet exit from the world he helped build.

Paris

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:05

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