Gisèle Pelicot’s Documentary Coming to HBO

Gisèle Pelicot, a French woman who endured a decade of abuse after being drugged by her husband and subjected to assaults by numerous men, will be the focus of an upcoming HBO documentary.

Produced by Warner Bros. Discovery, the documentary is directed by Joanna Natasegara, an Oscar-winning producer known for her work on The White Helmets.

The untitled film will follow Pelicot as she shares her story publicly, highlighting her decision to waive her anonymity. This case resulted in the conviction of 51 men and became one of France’s most significant sexual violence trials.

The documentary will accompany Pelicot on her path to rebuilding her life, emphasizing her commitment to advocate for survivors of sexual violence globally.

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Producers alongside Natasegara include Abigail Anketell-Jones (The Disciple) and Brenda Coughlin (Citizenfour), with Laura Poitras (Cover Up) serving as executive producer. Additional executive producers are 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 expressed, “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.”