The team of the biopic on L’Abbé Pierre in support of the victims

While Abbé Pierre is accused of sexual assault, the team behind Frédéric Tellier’s film have decided to distance themselves from him.

Abbé Pierre is accused of several acts of assault and sexual violence, revealed this summer by the Egae firm. For several weeks, all those who counted as his supporters have disavowed him. Thus, the film crew Abbé Pierre: a life of struggle decided to publish a press release to acknowledge both its break with the clergyman who died in 2007 and his alleged victims:

“The production and the entire artistic team of the film L’abbé Pierre: Une vie de combats have followed with horror the revelations that have been made since this summer concerning criminal and delinquent acts committed by Abbé Pierre.”

“These crimes, which shed a completely new light on the fate of Abbé Pierre, were obviously unknown to us at the time we made this film, just as they were unknown to the French people. We condemn these crimes and wish to strongly express our full support for the many victims of Abbé Pierre,” concludes the press release.

Presented with great fanfare at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, out of competition, Abbé Pierre: A life of struggle was released last November, accumulating more than 800,000 admissions. Directed by Frédéric Tellier (The SK1 Affair, Save or Perish, Goliath), with Benjamin Lavernhe in the title role and Emmanuelle Bercot as Lucie Coutaz, his secretary and co-founder of Emmaüs.

Although the two actors have not yet reacted, the press release seems to outline a collective desire.