“God Can Defend Himself” directed by Isabelle Cottenceau
Synopsis
On January 7, 2015, twelve people were murdered at the Charlie Hebdo offices. Richard Malka, the civil party’s lawyer, prepares for a tumultuous trial.
Through his plea, he retraces the history of freedom of expression, echoing the rise of intolerance.
A poignant and essential manifesto for freedom and secularism, based on his book The Right to Piss Off God, published by Grasset (2021).
“God Can Defend Himself”: Richard Malka embodies the fight for freedom of expression and secularism
“My initial intuition was that this film would be a feature-length movie. Because speaking about freedom of expression, Charlie Hebdo, and radical Islamism has paradoxically become complicated in France, if not impossible. Financing it was difficult, and we had to wait many months before Canal+ and Ciné+ became partners, allowing the film to come to life. And even though the final budget of this documentary is very small for cinema, we were able to create the feature film we wanted, freely, without constraints or format. Which, for a film about freedom, was the least we could do. So thank you, cinema.”
This statement by producer Sophie Jeaneau sets the tone for this powerful subject, so unsettling that it is shown in only a few theaters.
Richard Malka: A tireless defender of freedom
In God Can Defend Himself, Isabelle Cottenceau takes us into the heart of a battle that goes far beyond a mere trial.
Through the portrait of Richard Malka, the emblematic lawyer of Charlie Hebdo, this documentary powerfully reminds us of the burning issues of our time: the defense of freedom of expression and secularism—essential values that are always under threat in today’s French society.
Richard Malka, through his career and commitment, embodies a modern figure of intellectual resistance. For over three decades, he has ardently defended these principles that form the foundation of the Republic.
The documentary highlights his central role during the Charlie Hebdo attacks trial, a pivotal moment where, through his plea, he reminded the world that freedom of expression is non-negotiable.
But the film does more than recount a legal story. It paints the portrait of a deeply committed man whose life is dedicated to protecting what he sees as the cornerstone of any democracy.
“God Can Defend Himself”: At the heart of current debates
Isabelle Cottenceau successfully captures Richard Malka’s duality: the combative lawyer, but also the man of conviction, often torn between the gravity of his mission and the emotion stirred by the events he faces.
The creation process was complex, particularly in terms of selecting scenes and archives, with the goal of resonating emotionally and intellectually.
Known for her sensitive and committed documentaries, Isabelle Cottenceau directs this project with both an artistic and documentary approach. She integrates studio scenes, where Richard Malka reads his plea, and outdoor scenes to illustrate contemporary events.
Through archival footage, trial scenes, and moments of intimate reflection, God Can Defend Himself reminds us that these struggles are not of the past but are very much present and more necessary than ever.
The expertly crafted editing of this documentary plunges us into this tormented chapter of French history.
The film not only evokes the Charlie Hebdo attacks but also the assassination of Samuel Paty, the rise of religious extremism, and the ongoing debates about religion’s place in the public sphere. Freedom of expression and secularism in France are principles wrested from the Catholic Church in previous centuries.
“God Can Defend Himself”: A call to collective vigilance
Richard Malka thus appears not only as a defender of the law but as a guardian of freedom, and above all, the right to laugh at God, the right and duty to blaspheme, perhaps to stay sane in the face of the horrors around us.
His commitment, his determination never to give in, even when the fight seems desperate, makes him an inspiring figure.
Isabelle Cottenceau’s documentary, featuring numerous testimonials, is a tribute to this man but also a call to collective vigilance. It reminds us that freedom of expression and secularism are not guaranteed but daily battles in which every citizen has a role to play.
Today, following the terrorist attacks on October 7 carried out by Hamas, the film resonates even more strongly with the rise of radical Islamism and anti-Semitism in France, supported by a far-left in search of voters.
God Can Defend Himself is a necessary work, a heartfelt cry to ensure we never forget the importance of these values that underpin our coexistence.
Through the journey of Richard Malka, whom a man thanks for his action before his plea, God Can Defend Himself invites us to take a stand, to defend with conviction what makes our democracy strong.
It is a documentary that, beyond emotion, provokes reflection and encourages action. A powerful, essential film for our time.
More information on Richard Malka
A lecture at the Faculty of Law & Political Science of Lille
On freedom: read more articles here
