"A devoted friend": the series on the fake Bataclan survivor divides the real victims

The mini-series A devoted friend, scheduled for release on the Max platform on October 11, is already causing controversy. Inspired by the story of Florence M., nicknamed "the mythomaniac of the Bataclan", the series traces the journey of this woman who lied by pretending to be a victim of the attacks of November 13, 2015. For more than two years, Florence M. convinced many people, including associations and survivors, that she was present during the attack at the Bataclan, and that one of her relatives had been seriously injured. These lies allowed her to receive 25 euros in compensation before she was sentenced to four and a half years in prison in 000.

Directed by Just Philippot and adapted from the book The Bataclan Mythomaniac by Alexandre Kauffmann, the series stars Laure Calamy in the lead role. While the series promises not to romanticize the events, several real victims of the Bataclan attack express their discomfort. "She hurt us a lot. She lied to everyone, and bringing this story back to light is really adding pain to pain," laments Sophie Parra, a survivor hit by two bullets during the attack.

Catherine Bertrand, another survivor, also criticizes the attention paid to Florence M.: "The media talk a lot about false victims, but the real ones are forgotten." She emphasizes the lack of interest in the survivors' recovery journey: "Who is interested in what we have become, in the way we try to rebuild ourselves after such a tragedy?"

Arthur Dénouveaux, president of Life for Paris, the main victims' association, takes a more measured stance. It points out that the five-year moratorium requested by victims on any fiction related to the November 2015 attacks has been respected, and stresses that the impact of the event is now etched in France's modern history: "We know that we are going to have to live with a virtual, fictionalized version of what we experienced. This is just the beginning."

However, some victims believe that the series could at least show the character of Florence M. in a realistic light. "According to the feedback I've had, the character is really detestable, so it's true to reality," confides Sophie Parra, relieved by this point. The director, Just Philippot, has assured that he wants to deliver "a measured and non-voyeuristic story," according to the testimonies collected.

Alice Leroy