Gisèle Pelicot Documentary Set At HBO

Gisèle Pelicot, the French woman who survived a decade of abuse after her husband drugged her and arranged for dozens of men to rape her while she was unconscious, is to be the subject of an HBO documentary.

The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network is in production on the doc, which will be directed by Joanna Natasegara, the Oscar-winning producer behind The White Helmets.

The untitled doc will tell the story of Pelicot, who waived her anonymity and spoke publicly about the case, which saw 51 men convicted in what became one of France’s largest sexual violence trials.

It will accompany Gisèle on her journey as she rebuilds her life, remaining determined to speak out for survivors of sexual violence everywhere. 

Abigail Anketell-Jones (The Disciple) and Brenda Coughlin (Citizenfour) will produce alongside Natasegara with Laura Poitras (Cover Up) exec producing. Other exec producers include Mariana Oliva, Marcos Nisti, Luana Lobo, Estela Renner, and Ana Lucia Villela for MFF & Co., James Costa and Trevor Burgess for Bird Street Productions, Chandra Jessee and Rebecca Lichtenfeld for InMaat, Maxyne Franklin and Sandra Whipham for Doc Society and Jenny Warburg. 

Natasegara said, “Gisèle’s decision to stand up and speak for survivors of sexual violence everywhere is simply an awe-inspiring act of courage. The film is a testimony to her insistence on dignity, her resolute refusal to be defined by the crimes committed against her, and how France and the rest of the world choose to respond to her bravery. From the day I learned about her story, I felt a responsibility to help to tell it.”