C'est dur d'être aimé par des cons

Daniel Leconte's documentary traces the trial in February 2007 against the French satirical journal 'Charlie Hebdo' which has reprinted and commented against the Danish caricatures found offensive by the Muslim community. The trial turned into a very mediatized event, with many of the famous French politicians and intellectuals coming into the defense of the fundamental right of expression, including the right to satirize religion. Arguments are made very clear by the lawyers team on one and the other side of the dispute, but as in the real trial it is the number and the quality of the witnesses that came at the defense of the freedom of expression of the journalists that prevailed. The argument can be made that by following the newspapers team and interviewing more witnesses on their side the film authors have taken a rather biased view, but their intention was clear from the beginning, and they did allow the other side to make their arguments also in a clear and unequivocal manner. It is an interesting document, detailed and clear, authentic and true to the way the process happened. Worth seeing.