Dying of love: the Gabrielle Russer case
In 1968, Gabrielle Russer, a 32-year-old associate professor of literature at the Lycée Nord in Marseille, began a romantic relationship with Christian Rossi, one of her 17-year-old students. Their closeness intensified during the events of May 68, a period during which they participated in demonstrations together.
This relationship, although consensual, was seen as scandalous by society at the time. Christian’s parents, against this matter, appealed to the juvenile judge in October 1968. A compromise was found: Christian is sent to boarding school at Argelès high schoolwith the possibility of corresponding with Gabrielle and seeing her during the All Saints holidays. However, Gabrielle’s letters are intercepted, leading Christian to threaten suicide.
In December 1968, Gabrielle Russer was indicted for child embezzlement and incarcerated in Baumettes Prison. She was released five days later thanks to Christian’s intervention with the juvenile judge. Despite the bans, Gabrielle and Christian continue to see each other. Christian’s parents then decide to place him in various institutions, then entrust him to a psychiatric clinic where he underwent a three-week sleep treatment. Despite these obstacles, the couple persisted in their relationship, which led to Gabrielle’s further incarceration in April 1969 for refusing to reveal Christian’s whereabouts. He spent a total of fifty days in detention.
On 10 July 1969, Gabrielle appeared before the Marseille criminal court, which was held behind closed doors. She was sentenced to 12 months in prison and fined. The Academy of Aix-en-Provence refuses to reinstate her and the prosecutor’s office appeals against the decision, under pressure from rector Paul Frank. Faced with this judicial and institutional irreducibility, Gabrielle Russer committed suicide on September 1, 1969 asphyxiating himself with gas in his apartment. His death arouses strong emotion and reignites the debate on the rigidity of the social and legal norms of the time.
Dying to love : from business to the big screen
Deeply touched by this tragedy, director André Cayatte decides to bring this story to the screen. In Dying to lovethe names of the protagonists change: Gabrielle Russer becomes Danièle Guénot, played by Annie Girardot, and Christian Rossi is renamed Gérard Leguen, played by Bruno Pradal. The film also transposes the action from Marseille to Rouen.
Released in January 1971, the film met with immense success, attracting almost 6 million viewers in France. He is praised for his denunciation of social intolerance and judicial injustice. Annie Girardot’s performance was particularly noticed and strengthened her popularity with the public.
A new television adaptation by Josée Dayan
In 2009, director Josée Dayan proposed a new adaptation of this story with the TV movie Dying to lovebroadcast on France 2. In this version, Muriel Robin plays Gabrielle Delorme, a 42-year-old literature professor, divorced and mother of two children, who falls in love with Lucas Malzieu, a 15 and a half year old student.
The action is implemented in the early 1980s in Angoulêmeand offers a contemporary rereading of the drama. This adaptation highlights the persistence of questions related to forbidden love, morality, and justice, even decades after the original events.
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
