MEDIAS France 2 broadcasts this Wednesday, at 10:45 p.m., a report following a support group reserved for men convicted of domestic violence. Producer Mélissa Theuriau and director Florie Martin explain their device to “20 Minutes”
In a support group for men convicted of domestic violence, in Cergy (Val-d’Oise). Image taken from the documentary “Fighting their violence”. — 416 Prod
- This Wednesday, November 16, France 2 is broadcasting, at 10:45 p.m., the documentary Fighting Their Violence.
- For several months, director Florie Martin set up her cameras in Cergy (Val-d’Oise) in a support group for men convicted of domestic violence.
- “Florie carried out a complex job. She found the most suitable and discreet device so that our film does not modify reality: there are no cameras pointed at these men, they do not carry microphones on them… We had to be forgotten”, underlines at 20 Minutes Mélissa Theuriau, producer of the documentary.
“ I’m not violent, I’m a good person.” ; The first words of Combat their violence, diffused this Wednesday at; 10:45 p.m. on France 2, can tense. The documentary follows a reserved talk group; to men convicted of domestic violence. This introductory sentence is taken from these discussion sessions.
“That society” whether ready or not, it seemed to us; necessary to take an interest in the long term; these men: Who are they? What denial are they in? What are the blockages and the trajectories that lead them to so much violence?, explains to 20 MinutesMélissa Theuriau, the producer of the report. It is important to give answers to better protect children and companions.”
This note of intent raises other questions: How to film these individuals? How to welcome their testimonies? What place can, or can not, hold for compassion? towards them?
“Acts have been committed, we are here to talk about it”
Accuracy of importance: there is no doubt about the facts that have occurred. All the men who participate in this support group Cergy (Val-d’Oise) have been found guilty by the courts. “From the moment when” there is condemnation, we can look into the problem of violence, whether they deny it, whether they evolve or not. There have been acts that have been committed, we are here to talk about it,” points out the producer.
The recidivism prevention program mentioned in the report was launched in 2008. It takes place twice a year with, at; each time, about ten different individuals. “There are selection interviews. I was there, says director Florie Martin. I was there from the start, my presence was recorded.”
The Prison Service for Integration and Probation (Spip) of Val-d’Oise was initially reluctant to give the green light to journalists. The previous productions of 416 Prod, some of which gave voice to the victims of violence, ended up convincing the administration that the objective was not “sensationalist”.
““We had to be forgotten”
“Florie led complex, long-term work, salutes Mélissa Theuriau. She has moved around a lot without a camera. She found the most suitable device; and discreet so that our film does not alter reality: there are no cameras pointed at these men, they do not carry microphones on them… We had to be forgotten. We also wanted to that they are anonymized. They could have that freedom. to talk because they weren’t recognized.”
“The setting was very important, we couldn’t get out of it, confirms Florie Martin. We deliberately chose not to follow these men at home, in their daily lives, not to make friends with them. I spoke to them. within the framework of the group, ` all at the same time. There was no compassion, nor that form of attachment to the characters that can be felt. the work in other reports.”
This does not mean that a media trial awaits the protagonists. Combat their violenceattaches to; follow the angle of its title. “Seeing these men evolve is a source not of joy but of hope, says M”lissa Theuriau. We say to ourselves “Here, it’s moving, it’s reassuring.” This may seem minimal, but when the seed of a beginning of awareness germinates, while some start from absolute denials, it’s already there. an important step for the future.”
“Some try to position themselves as victims”
The report also presents the work of the probation and integration counselors who facilitate these discussion sessions. “We try to show that, to collect this word and provide care, you have to be trained, underlines Mélissa Theuriau. There are talkers, who master rhetoric and know how to position themselves as victims. The clinical psychologist Linda Tromeleue and her advisers are remarkable: they listen and, at the same time, they are sufficiently experienced not to accept all these words. and be able to counter them.”
The director and producer do not rule out following up on this report to see, in a few years, what these men have become. In Belgium, where programs of this type have been running for thirty years, the recidivism rate has gone down; from 38% to 18%.