Beyond Hatred

In this deeply moving, award-winning French documentary, a family reflects on the murder of their 29-year-old son and tries to move beyond feelings of hatred and revenge. Filmed in classic verité style, this story of one family's courage after terrible loss is "powerful, simply but boldly constructed" and "loaded with tension.” –BBC

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 accused’s 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.

“Paced like a drama, imbued with a spellbinding intimacy, and impressionistic in its visual portrayal of crime and punishment, it follows the 2002 murder of Francois Chenu, a gay man beaten by Nazi skinheads and left to drown in a nearby pond in Reims.” (John Anderson, Newsday)

“Movingly accompanies the family of Francois Chenu, a gay man murdered by three skinheads in 2002, down the road to forgiveness.” (Leslie Felperin, Variety)

“Thankfully, Meyrou's intent isn't to launch a predictable crusade against homophobia itself, but to quietly understand the factors that molded this young trio into senseless killers.” (Aaron Hillis, Village Voice)

“An example of a film whose style doesn’t merely suit its story but amplifies its meanings.” (Matt Zoller Seitz, New York Times)