In this deeply moving, award-winning French documentary, a family reflects on the murder of their 29-year-old son and try to move beyond hatred and revenge.
September 13th, 2002, three skinheads lie in wait in a park in Reims, France. They have been roaming the park with the sole intent to “do an Arab,”, but instead they come across a gay man, François Chenu.
Refusing to be intimidated, François defends himself and calls them cowards. In turn, they beat him unconscious and throw his body into a nearby pond where he drowns. The gang is known to the police and is quickly caught. Although the details of the crime are presented, the real focus of the film is its aftermath and the family’s efforts to find a way of coping with the loss of their beloved son and brother. In the lead up to and during the trial, we learn more about the accuseds’ own backgrounds of prejudice and neglect, and observe the Chenu family’s remarkable dignity as they try to comprehend the circumstances that lead to their inconsolable loss.

DVD

• In French with English subtitles

Teddy Award for Best Documentary, 2006 Berlin Film FestivalrnSpecial Jury Prize, 2007 Saratoga Film Festival“Movingly accompanies the family of Francois Chenu, a gay man murdered by three skinheads in 2002, down the road to forgiveness. Charged drama!”—Variety“A film whose style doesn’t merely suit its story but amplifies its meanings.” –New York Timesrn