PBS Broadcast: June 30, 2009
Synopsis
In September 2002, three skinheads were roaming a park in Rheims, France, looking to "do an Arab," when they settled for a gay man instead. Twenty-nine-year-old François Chenu fought back fiercely, but he was beaten unconscious and thrown into a river, where he drowned. The acclaimed French vérité film Beyond Hatred is the story of the crime's aftermath; above all, of the Chenu family's brave and heartrending struggle to seek justice while trying to make sense of such pointless violence and unbearable loss. With remarkable dignity, they fight to transcend hatred and the inevitable desire for revenge.
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Film Information
Beyond Hatred (90 min.)
Follow the Filmmaker
This family was so extraordinary in their way of dealing with their grieving process that I felt I had to refocus the project and describe their long road toward recovering from their loss.”
— Olivier Meyrou, Filmmaker
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Film Update
June 25, 2009
Critical Acclaim
An example of a film whose style doesn’t merely suit its story but amplifies its meanings.”
— Matt Zoller Seitz
New York Times
Paced like a drama, imbued with a spellbinding intimacy, and impressionistic in its visual portrayal of crime and punishment...”
— John Anderson
Newsday
Movingly accompanies the family of Francois Chenu, a gay man murdered by three skinheads in 2002, down the road to forgiveness. Charged drama!”
— Leslie Felperin,
Variety
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