POV: Can you tell us what has happened in the lives of the Chenus since filming ended?
Olivier Meyrou: François's parents sent the letter that they read at the end of the film, and two out of the three boys who killed François responded soon after they received it.
The youngest one who was a minor at the time of the murder — was one of the two who responded. François's mother told me that it was ironic, because the boy didn't know how to read or write and had asked his Arab cellmate to write the letter for him. So, a skinhead had to write a letter to the parents of his victim, but since he couldn't write, he had to rely on his Arab buddy.
The other one who responded to the letter was the one who was most involved in the skinhead movement. He was the leader of the group. He told François's parents that François died with a lot of courage. He also said that the three of them were cowards that night, and that François didn't back down. François stood upright in his shoes and he didn't want to apologize for being homosexual; he stayed true to himself. The skinhead wrote that it was partly François's strength of will that unleashed violence in the three of them. François's strength reflected back their cowardice, and that was unbearable to them.
So the letter really centered around that, and it was really hard for the Chenus to answer. How does one reply to a letter like when you are the victim's parents? The letter revealed the aggression and violence against François, as seen from the point of view of the aggressor. It was very disturbing to the Chenus.
The Chenus also thought about the reintegration of these boys back into society. They were each sentenced to 20 years in prison, and their sentences can be reduced for good conduct, so they might only serve 12 years. That means these men will still be young when they are released, and the Chenus are very much aware of that. What the Chenus don't want is for these men to come out of prison more damaged and more aggressive. They want to stop the violence from continuing any longer.
Talk About This
Having just watched Beyond Hatred, I am moved to tears for Francois' family! I am a 62-year-old white woman who was raised by peace-loving parents in SE PA and I have come to refer to myself as an idealistic-realist, as I know how things really are but never give up hope that the world can become a more tolerant, loving place for us all, despite differences. In fact, I feel so strongly about this very topic that I have just published my first children's book, Just Like Brothers...In the Beginning, about this very subject and the next book in the series, Just Like Brothers...Summer Adventures, will be released in mid-July. I have been a part-time art and cultural studies teacher in private schools since 2000 when I finally earned my BA, and am the mother of one son whom I raised by myself until he was 13 years old. His third-grade teacher told me that he was the most well-adjusted child she had ever taught. I now have two grandchildren (one girl and one boy), the loves of my life, as well as a supportive husband who shares my desire for peace in the world, without violence and hatred. My inspiration for the Just Like Brothers series is summed with these words from my bio in my book,"... my hope that people everywhere will look within themselves and reach out to others, despite differences. Children are the message bearers of this vision. It is up to us to listen with open minds and hearts..."
My book received an Honorable Mention Award by the New York Book Festival in early June and I am in the beginning process of reaching out to others through book readings and workshops, both in my adopted home state of Florida and around the world, to help in my small way to change the way we see and accept each other. If you google my name or the title of my books, you can find out more information about how strongly I believe in this cause, or visit my website at www.RudellKopp-kidsbooks.net
Thank you to Olivier Meyrou for producing this documentary and to PBS/POV for showing it. My hope is that together we can make a difference. Thank you, Rudell D. Kopp (rudell@aol.com)
by Rudell Kopp
July 1, 2009, 12:16 AM
I'm aghast to see these murdering skinhead Nazis would have their sentences reduced two years into French vacation. I would say Francois Chenus died in vain and followed by his family and friends,
by bbridge4th
July 1, 2009, 12:49 AM
As a transgendered person I recognize that this story is all too familiar in this country too. Apparently, hatred and stupidity is rampant in every country egged on by all religions.
by Roberta Zrna
July 1, 2009, 1:56 PM
I just watched this film last night in Chicago on Channel 11, WTTW. My heart goes out to Francois's family. Their love, strength of character, compassion and honesty show that there is hope for this world. Thank you for sharing your story. Continue to find comfort with each other. And know that Francois lived with pride and did NOT die in vain.
by Nancy
July 1, 2009, 2:30 PM
Immense gratitude to pbs for showing this remarkable film which revealed the French justice system at its best and gives one some hope that the irrational hatred which caused Francois's death may be mitigated if not eliminated.
by marion hunt
July 1, 2009, 4:00 PM
I viewed this incredible film last night on WNET (N.Y.C.), Channel 13. I am amazed at how calm and serene the family of the murdered gay man was. I could not be so forgiving and am extremely angry that the murderers did not get the punishment they deserved which would also set a strong example that France does not tolerate anti-gay violence, and that such violence will be dealt with the greatest punishment possible. Even the murderers of Matthew Shepard received life sentences in the anti-gay bigoted state of Wyoming, and that was only ,000.000because the Matthew's parents were reluctant to pursue the death penalty. No, I could not forget or forgive such a heinous monstrous crime. Was France so forgiving of the Nazis? Maybe it was. But many Nazi war criminals received far lengthier sentences and even death when they were tried and convicted.
Shame on France.
by Barry Fulmer
July 1, 2009, 9:39 PM
I just saw the program "Beyond Hatred", and felt great admiration for all concerned. The attempt by the Chenus to extend themselves into greater compassion and awareness is amazing. However, in reading Mr. Meyrou's statement of what occurred following the film, I wonder if he and others overlooked what a great step forward the letter by the leader of the group truly was. He honored Francois in the highest way open to him; on his own terms. He acknowledged that, by his own code, Francois was a hero, and that he, himself, and his companions, fell short. I think that is a great, great admission, amazingly honest, and a step toward redemption in itself. I hope someone will follow through on this; that this step forward will be honored, and built upon. I believe that all of us want to become the highest we can conceive within. The Chenus, obvioiusly, try very hard to achieve this. They can help their brother in the struggle, Fabien (I think that's the name of the leader), to continue a higher path.
by Rebecca Stager
July 2, 2009, 5:52 AM
As parents of a murdered daughter, the film and comments by filmmaker Olivier Meyrou brought back many powerful memories. Ever since 2 1/2 years service in WWII, I have been working to end violence. But when the murder occurred it was no longer theory. My immediate reaction was anger and hatred for the man who had strangled and violated her. I wanted him to hurt, I wanted him dead. As my anger dissipated and I tried to understand what had happened to him, that he could do such a thing, my wife and I began to see him as a human being. I knew violence would never end violence, that, as Gandhi said, "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth will leave the whole world blind and toothless". We were no longer wanting another death. As a friend said, "Isn't there enough pain in the world already?"
We learned among other horrors, that his mother had tried to drown him when he was about 11, and he watched as she drowned his little sister before his eyes. His thought at the time, "I'm glad she is dead. She can no longer be tormented." None of this excuses what he did. There is no excuse. His use of crack/cocaine, stealing for his habit, murder, rape - these were his choices. And they destroyed our child. But he is still a human being, like us. As the Chenus said, "He lost his humanity in killing another person". We must help him to find that again.
We have corresponded with this man, Ivan Simpson, from several months after the murder to the present and finally went to see him in prison. We are reconciled, we have forgiven him. None of us will ever get past the pain of loss, the horror of what he did, but we are free of hatred, anger and the desire for revenge and that is a great healing. We often complain about the "cycle of violence" in our society, our world. I came to realize that the only way to stop the cycle of violence is to say "the violence stops here, with me. I will take it into my heart and let it end there."
by hector black
July 9, 2009, 11:58 AM