HBO, Violet Films in production on Gisèle Pelicot documentary

HBO is in production on a documentary film about French drug and rape abuse victim Gisèle Pelicot.

Gisèle Pelicot

HBO

Directed by Joanna Natasegara and produced by her London-based prodco Violet Films and HBO Documentary Films, the untitled doc will accompany Pelicot on her journey as she rebuilds her life following a decade of drug-related and sexual abuse by her husband.

Natasegara produces with Abigail Anketell-Jones and Brenda Coughlin, while Jenny Warburg exec produces.

Also exec producing are Laura Poitras, Mariana Oliva, Marcos Nisti, Luana Lobo, Estela Renner and Ana Lucia Villela for studio MFF & CO, while James Costa and Trevor Burgess exec produce for Bird Street Productions.

Chandra Jessee and Rebecca Lichtenfeld exec produce for gender justice organisation InMaat, while Maxyne Franklin and Sandra Whipham exec produce for non-profit Doc Society.

The film will debut on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max.

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.”