Consent (2023)
A searing French drama adapted from Vanessa Springora's memoir, confronting predation, complicity, and the long shadow of abuse.
Consent - Movie Information
- Original Title: Le Consentement
- Release Year: 2023
- Directed by: Vanessa Filho
- Type: Movie
- Genres: History, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 59m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French, Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 11, 2023 (France - 12), April 19, 2024 (Spain - 18)
- Alternative Titles: 컨센트 (KR)
- Production Companies: Moana Films, Windy Production, Panache Productions, La Compagnie Cinématographique, France 2 Cinéma, RTBF, Les films du Monsieur, BeTV, VOO, Eurimages
- Production Countries: Belgium, France
Consent - Plot
In 2013, Vanessa Springora recounts how she found herself under the influence of a famous writer. In 1986, she was 13; him, almost 50. The victim of a triple predation: sexual, literary, and psychic, there's more beyond her individual story. She questions the excesses of an era, and the complacency of an environment blinded by talent and celebrity.
Consent - Trailer
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Consent - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Vanessa Filho
Main Cast
- Kim Higelin
- Jean-Paul Rouve
- Laetitia Casta
- Élodie Bouchez
- Jean Chevalier
- Lolita Chammah
- David Clavel
- Agathe Dronne
- Christophe Grégoire
- Doby Broda
Writers
- Vanessa Filho
Producers
- Marc Missonnier
- Carole Lambert
Consent - FAQs
What is Consent about?
Consent follows Vanessa Springora, who at 13 was drawn into a manipulative relationship with a celebrated writer nearly 50 years her senior in 1980s Paris. The film adapts her acclaimed memoir, exposing the sexual, literary, and psychological predation she endured and questioning an era that shielded powerful men behind artistic prestige.
Is Consent based on a true story?
Yes, the film is a direct adaptation of Vanessa Springora's 2020 memoir Le Consentement. Springora recounts her real-life experience as a teenager manipulated by writer Gabriel Matzneff, whose predatory behavior was long tolerated by French literary circles. The book became a landmark reckoning with abuse and complicity.
Who is the real person behind the story?
The film is based on Vanessa Springora's memoir about her relationship with Gabriel Matzneff, a French writer who openly documented his relationships with minors for decades. Matzneff faced legal investigation after Springora's book was published in 2020, igniting a major public debate in France about literary celebrity and accountability.
Where can you watch Consent online?
You can stream Consent through the France Channel Amazon Channel. Availability may vary by region, so checking your local streaming options is always a good idea.
Who plays Vanessa Springora in Consent?
Kim Higelin portrays the young Vanessa Springora, while Élodie Bouchez plays the adult Vanessa looking back on her past. Jean-Paul Rouve takes on the role of the predatory writer, and Laetitia Casta plays Vanessa's mother. The performances, especially Higelin's, drew significant critical praise.
How was Consent received by critics?
Consent earned strong critical recognition, particularly for Kim Higelin's courageous lead performance and Vanessa Filho's unflinching direction. Critics praised the film for its emotional honesty and its willingness to confront the cultural complicity that allowed abuse to go unchallenged for so long in French literary society.
What language is Consent filmed in?
Consent is primarily in French, with some Spanish dialogue. It's a French-Belgian co-production, so English-speaking viewers will be watching with subtitles — but the film's emotional power translates completely, making it a compelling watch regardless of language.
Is Consent suitable for all audiences?
Consent deals with deeply sensitive subject matter — including child sexual abuse, psychological manipulation, and predatory grooming — and contains scenes of a disturbing nature. It is not suitable for younger viewers. The film was released with an age restriction of 12+ in France and 18+ in Spain, reflecting its challenging content.
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