Credits: Georges Biard / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0.
Samuel Le Bihan made a strong impression in the TV movie You Shall Not Kill, which recently aired on France 2. This courtroom drama is loosely inspired by real events. It shines a light on the tragedy of a mother accused of murdering her autistic, multiply disabled daughter. Le Bihan, whose own daughter is autistic, plays the mother’s lawyer, offering a moving testament to this reality.
More than just a broadcast, the program is accompanied by a broader reflection. It questions the role of justice, but also the way society views disability.
However, Le Bihan’s remarks on Léa Salamé’s show sparked controversy. In his view, “justice is not there to try to convict, but to try to understand.” Voices quickly rose in response, including that of Elisa Rojas, an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, who criticizes this rhetoric, which she says “considers the murder of autistic children by their parents” to be “understandable.”
Likewise, Amélie Tsaag Valren, writer and researcher, denounces a certain media complicity toward a viewpoint that potentially justifies infanticide.
Beyond this controversy, Samuel Le Bihan, recently awarded the Legion of Honor, above all wanted to start a dialogue about the place of disability in society, stressing the daily challenges faced by families of children with disabilities. His personal commitment to this project reflects his desire to help shift attitudes.
The airing of You Shall Not Kill coincides with important moments, such as World Autism Awareness Day. It is a reminder to everyone of the urgent need for better inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. The controversy raises essential questions about the values and priorities of our society. It encourages a collective reflection on empathy, inclusion, and responsibility toward the most vulnerable.