The Pelicot Trial

Tribute to Gisèle Pelicot

  • Tribute

Austria - France / Created in 2025 / First time in France

Sensitive content (sexual violence)

Around the Gisèle Pelicot case, a night of readings to recount this historic trial, a symbol of the trivialisation of rape and violence against women. 

Le Procès Pelicot, Milo Rau et Servane Dècle, 2025 © Christophe Raynaud de Lage / Festival d'Avignon

Presentation

“Shame must change sides”. With these words, as well as with her decision to make her trial public, Gisèle Pelicot has become a symbol in the fight to end violence against women. The Mazan rape case reveals how, in this small town in southern France, ordinary men of all ages and social backgrounds are capable of committing an inhumane crime: the repeated rape of an unconscious woman. This night of readings features examinations, pleas, and commentaries surrounding this historic case. Servane Dècle and Milo Rau have collaborated with the Pelicot family’s lawyers, the court, psychological experts, legal commentators, witnesses, and feminist organisations to recount this trial of an entire system: patriarchy.

حول قضية جيزيل بيليكو، ليلة من القراءات لرواية هذه القضية التاريخية، رمز ابتذال الاغتصاب والعنف ضد المرأة. 

Interview with Servane Dècle and Milo Rau

Distribution

With Adama Diop actor, Alison Dechamps actress, Anne Lassalle lawyer, Ariane Ascaride actress, Ayoub Kallouchi actor, Camille Etienne environmental activist, Caroline Gillet journalist, Clara Hédouin director, Corentin Legras doctoral student in anthropology, Cyrielle Voguet actress, Elios Noel actress, Elisabeth Saint-Jalmes actress and set designer, Eva Doumbia actress and director, Fatma Hamdoun researcher, Florian Pâque actor, Françoise Nyssen president of the Festival d'Avignon, Hinda Abdelaoui actress, Julie Ménard actress, Kubra Khademi performer, Laurent Layet expert psychiatrist, Léopoldine Hummel actress and musician, Lola Felouzis actress, Louise Brzezowska-Dudek director, actress and author, Makita Samba actor, Marie Coquille-Chambel actress, Marie Vialle actress, Marie-Christine Barrault actress, Maudie Cosset actor, Maxime Le Gac-Olanié actor, Nadège Cathelineau actress and director, Nina Beltaief actor, Philippe Torreton actor, Robin Renucci director of the Théâtre de La Criée in Marseille, Ruggero Franceschini actor, Safira Robens actress, Samuel Achache actor and director, Sara Louis director and actress, Serge Kakudji singer, Simon Delétang actor, Simon Roth author and director, Julie Molier actress, Renaud Danner actor, Vincent Baudriller director of the Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne
Narrators Séphora Haymann, Hinda Abdelaoui

Writing Servane Dècle, Milo Rau
Direction Milo Rau
Research Servane Dècle
Dramaturgy and Production Assistant Nastasia Griese

Production

Production Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen)
Cooperation with Festival d'Avignon

Practical infos

Pictures

Audiovisual

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