Isild Le Besco, a 41-year-old author and filmmaker, questions her decision to publish a book every morning when she wakes up. She wonders why she is putting her intimate experiences, marked by violence, on display in bookstores, subjecting herself to media scrutiny, backlash from loved ones, and uncomfortable controversies. Despite these doubts, she feels compelled to share her story for the sake of her survival. Having been able to overcome the horrors she endured, she believes it is her duty to speak out on behalf of other women who have faced similar traumas. Her motivation to share her experiences stems from her desire to give voice to those who cannot speak for themselves, and to bring closure to her own healing process.
The book, titled “Dire vrai,” was inspired by a traumatic incident during a train journey in April 2023. While traveling between Drôme and Paris, a young woman on the train became agitated and started assaulting passengers. Isild Le Besco intervened and asked the woman to stop, but ended up being physically attacked herself. This violent encounter left her with a damaged cornea, 24 days of temporary incapacity to work, and a persistent need to assert that she is not a victim. This harrowing experience serves as the opening scene of her book, prompting her to reflect on the interconnected nature of the various forms of violence she has experienced throughout her life.
Isild Le Besco delves into her past, drawing connections between her childhood, her early involvement in the French film industry, her sister Maïwenn’s relationship with filmmaker Luc Besson, her own experiences with director Benoît Jacquot (who she was involved with when she was 16 and he was 52), her relationship with the father of her children, and her journey of self-healing through writing. Her narrative adds to a growing body of work by women such as Flavie Flament, Vanessa Springora, Camille Kouchner, Hélène Devynck, and Judith Chemla, who have courageously shared their stories of survival and resilience in the face of adversity. Through her book, Isild Le Besco seeks to shed light on the pervasive nature of abuse and the challenges faced by survivors in reclaiming their voices and their agency.
Isild Le Besco’s decision to publish her book exposes her to a range of emotional and psychological challenges, from coping with the aftermath of her traumatic experiences to navigating the complexities of sharing her story with the public. Despite the potential for negative reactions and criticism, she remains steadfast in her commitment to speaking her truth and advocating for the empowerment and validation of survivors of abuse. Her book serves as a testament to her resilience and determination to break the cycle of silence and shame that often accompanies experiences of trauma and violence. In sharing her journey of healing and self-discovery, Isild Le Besco offers a message of hope and solidarity to others who may be struggling to find their own voices and reclaim their sense of agency in the face of adversity.
