Christine Angot, a renowned French novelist, takes a courageous step in her documentary “A Family” by unveiling the unsettling truth of her repeated rape by her father from the tender age of 13. In this remarkable film, premiering at the Berlin Film Festival, Angot delves into the reactions of her family members upon learning about her deeply disturbing past.
An Unplanned Journey of Discovery
The documentary unexpectedly begins with a confrontation between Angot and her stepmother in Strasbourg. Armed with a camera crew, Angot fearlessly pushes her way into her stepmother’s apartment, seeking answers about her late father’s crimes and the wife’s perspective on it all.
This passionate exchange was never premeditated; in fact, the documentary itself was unplanned. Initially, Angot visited Strasbourg as part of a book signing tour for her work, “Le Voyage dans l’Est,” which sheds light on those close to her who were aware of the abuse but failed to intervene. During this trip, Angot invited her friend Caroline Champetier, a talented cinematographer, to join her, although without a clear vision of what they hoped to achieve.
A Voice That Cannot Be Silenced
Angot had previously written about the horrific experiences of being raped by her father in her novel “Incest,” which was widely recognized as a compelling piece of autofiction. Additionally, her novel “An Impossible Love” explored the theme of incestuous relationships and was later adapted into a film by Catherine Corsini.
However, the presence of Champetier behind the camera during the confrontation with her stepmother made a significant impact on Angot. It provided her with a sense of solidarity, as the camera became an unbiased witness, capturing every word and expression. The stepmother dismisses the book as Angot’s subjective interpretation, but the undeniable truth resonates through the recorded conversation.
“There’s no other version,” Angot emphasizes. “People can judge and have opinions based on what they witness. I don’t need to explain anything; I just need to be present.”
Questioning the Concept of Family
As Angot continues to engage in conversations with her mother, former husband, and daughter, she realizes that her experience of being raped by her father prompts a larger questioning of the institution of family within society. She aims to convey to her stepmother, “Let’s talk openly. Life is fleeting, and someday we will all be gone. If there’s something to say — and there is — it should be said now. You are the mother of my brother and sister. Incest isn’t just my problem; it affects you, your children, and society as a whole.”
The Shattered Image of a Father
Throughout the film, Angot also examines the role of a father in the context of her experience. When someone suggests that she was raped by a man, she swiftly corrects them, affirming, “Not a man, my father.” She believes that a father should be a protector and someone whom the child can trust. “When the person who violates you is your own father,” Angot adds, “it means he doesn’t regard you as his daughter — someone who should benefit from the taboo, the prohibition against incest. This violation of his paternity denies your human and social existence within society.”
The Mask of Respectability
The reason her stepmother refuses to acknowledge the truth and separate herself from her husband lies in the fear of jeopardizing her reputation and social standing. “To her, the most crucial aspect isn’t the truth, the crime committed. It’s preserving the respectability inherited from the powerful figure within the family — her husband.”
Angot acknowledges that even those who failed to protect her were restrained by their own unique circumstances. “Everyone has their own story,” she concedes.
A Door That Must Remain Open
Angot firmly disagrees with her stepmother’s assertion that her approach was aggressive when she tried to enter the apartment. She explains, “This door, which was always closed, began to open and must not be closed again for several decades, until we are all gone. This door represents the possibility of conversation, a few precious minutes to address the rapes and incest that occurred inside. How can I allow this door to be sealed shut again? It is of utmost importance.”
Through “A Family,” Christine Angot bravely sheds light on a deeply personal and heart-wrenching subject. Her documentary challenges society’s perceptions and brings attention to the painful realities of sexual abuse within familial relationships. By sharing her story, she encourages a necessary dialogue that may help others find the strength to confront their own traumatic experiences.