16, pregnant by rape, criminalized by France — and the women who fought back.
In 1972 16-year-old Marie-Claire became pregnant after a rape. With help from her mother Michelle and three other women, she underwent a clandestine abortion. Under a 1920 law, the five women were arrested and charged. Supported by a procession of well-known French (eg Simone de Beauvoir), the five were released and the law was adapted.
Acting
Anouk Grinberg channels real-life firebrand lawyer Gisèle Halimi.
Writing
Dialogue that weaponizes courtroom procedure into feminist manifesto.
Director
François Luciani
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real 1972 trial became a watershed for French feminism; Simone de Beauvoir used her fame to pack the courthouse daily.
Director François Luciani was a veteran of French television who rarely tackled political subjects — this was his exception.
FR
