C'EST DUR D'ÊTRE AIMÉ PAR DES CONS (IT’S HARD BEING LOVED BY JERKS) by Daniel Leconte
France 2008, 105 min
Followed by a discussion led by Dr. Suzanne Condray, Communication Department
This important documentary on the freedom of the press, censorship, and the right of religious minorities looks at a crucial 2007 Paris trial.
Several Islamic organizations brought charges of racist slander against the French news weekly Charlie Hebdo for reprinting 12 satirical cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed that had originally appeared in a Danish newspaper in 2005. Director Daniel Leconte follows the entire course of the trial, with Philippe Val, editor of Charlie Hebdo (a publication that’s an equal opportunity offender, having spoofed other religions in the past), giving the filmmaker complete access to the magazine’s editorial and strategizing meetings. When the prosecution decides that Leconte can’t film the trial, he turns instead to fascinating summaries of the day’s events presented in the courthouse lobby—and to interviews with some of the prominent defense witnesses, like filmmaker Claude Lanzmann. Amid the media circus surrounding the case, Leconte captures cogent, passionate speakers on both sides of the argument, reminding viewers of the absolute necessity of both the right to publish and the right to protest.
Several Islamic organizations brought charges of racist slander against the French news weekly Charlie Hebdo for reprinting 12 satirical cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed that had originally appeared in a Danish newspaper in 2005. Director Daniel Leconte follows the entire course of the trial, with Philippe Val, editor of Charlie Hebdo (a publication that’s an equal opportunity offender, having spoofed other religions in the past), giving the filmmaker complete access to the magazine’s editorial and strategizing meetings. When the prosecution decides that Leconte can’t film the trial, he turns instead to fascinating summaries of the day’s events presented in the courthouse lobby—and to interviews with some of the prominent defense witnesses, like filmmaker Claude Lanzmann. Amid the media circus surrounding the case, Leconte captures cogent, passionate speakers on both sides of the argument, reminding viewers of the absolute necessity of both the right to publish and the right to protest.
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