Colin Firth reads Antoine Leiris' letter to his wife’s killers

In November 2015, French journalist Antoine Leiris lost his wife, Helene Muyal, when gunmen opened fire at the Bataclan theatre in Paris, killing her and 86 other people. Days later, Antoine wrote an open letter to his wife’s killers.
Read by Colin Firth on Friday 14th July 2017 at Union Chapel, London.

[@amyroberts6320]

What a hard letter to write. And so hard to read without breaking down into just a puddle of tears and pain.

[@thehangmansdaughter1120]

I would have gotten about three lines in before I became a blubbering mess. I barely got through 5 just listening.

[@chriswilliams9798]

@@thehangmansdaughter1120 you and me both, have tears in my eye typing this reply to you.

[@ninongiraudet1288]

@@thehangmansdaughter1120 A

[@plotwitch]

that was so beautiful. he did the letter immense justice. deeply moving.

[@jeanettemacias5769]

😭😭😭😭

[@vickigreen9545]

He barely held it together, what a beautiful letter we can all learn from to combat terrorism

[@julierogers1155]

Five years later I am just now hearing (& about) this letter for the first time. Brilliant, and brutal. Love to you, Antoine Leiris, and your son. Love, also, to you, Helene Muyal. Thank you, Mr. Firth, for the reading.

[@anneleenschwartz4937]

Right on. My 1st feeling as well

[@MariaCarabin]

Antoine made an amazing documentary. It's on Netflix. It has the same titel in ENG/FR as the letter.

[@julierogers1155]

@@MariaCarabin Thank you for this information. Going to look for the documentary right now.

[@MariaCarabin]

@@julierogers1155 my pleasure. Apparently the documentary is a few years old but it's new on my Netflix (Switzerland). Cheers!

[@shantishanti1949]

@@MariaCarabin Maria is it Calle The Letter? Cannot find on Netflix Australia under that name

[@shazzykins1]

I was there. It was even more moving to hear it live. Not a dry eye in the place.

[@crafteariee]

I've always thought of that powerful phrase, "I will not give you the gift of hating you" born of heartbreak in these last 5 years and Antoine's letter is just as strong as when I had first heard it back then as I do again here now. I hope that father and his son are living well.

[@kategaging3363]

“You only have to forgive once. To resent, you have to do it all day every day.”

[@andrewduncan4908]

rubbish you will have to forgive again and again and again as the terrorists continue their murder becuase you are to weak to oppose them

[@kategaging3363]

@@andrewduncan4908 OK history lesson. When did terrorists really start attacking western cultures? After we had left their culture and country destroyed and we had violated them. Hate breeds hate man it has to stop at some point otherwise we’ll go round and round In circles. anyway I’m assuming you haven’t personally been victimised by terrorists so why are you holding onto hate and bitterness if it’s not doing anything but spreading rudeness on KZbin channels? Did you not learn any thing from this letter? This guy has a right to hate but he’s not 1 because he knows it’s useless and he needs to give his happiness to his son and 2. Terrorists feed on fear and hate is just a by product of fear.

[@AleksandarIvanov69]

Forgive evil ? Especially without forgiveness being asked for ? What are you talking about ? Also the high horse you are on is fictitious, "we" didn't destroy anything.

[@LadyEowyn]

@@AleksandarIvanov69 Forgive doesn't mean excuse. It means I wont carry it which is exactly what the letter was saying.

[@willway9378]

Your history is baffling as they began attacking everyone weaker than them from the beginning. They continued raping, stealing, and murdering leading to the Cruades in response. They openly sought to enter and conquer Europe repeatedly and were stopped mostly by Byzantium. They entered and occupied Southern Spain for 711 years. Our first Presidents had to act and our government make decisions about the pirating by these same people taking by force, raping, killing, and stealing. The attacks perhaps lessened for a time and were refocused at times such as during The Great War. It is only recently that there is an attempt to rewrite all history and to erase all true history in favor of pure garbage. most teachers regurgitate this implausible nonsense no matter how ridiculous, improbable, and contradictory. Sadly you seem to be a product of just such an education. If you actual read their book and listen literally to what their stated intentions are you would realize you are their greatest infidel. They can't hear you because to them you are lower than a dog which they despise.

[@brandyjan14]

Thank you, Mr. Firth. That was beautiful.

[@andrewjackson7014]

An astonishing letter, deeply moving. I hope that Antoine and his son find peace.

[@nganptdinh]

On Friday evening, you stole the life of an exceptional person. A love of my life. A mother of my son. But you will never have my hatred. I don't know who you are, and I don't want to know. You are dead souls. If this God for whom you killed so blindly, made this in His image, then every bullet in the body of my wife is a wound in His heart. So no. I will not give you the gift of hating you. You obviously want it. By responding to it with anger would be to give in to the same ignorance that made you what you are. You would like me to be scared, for me to look at my fellow citizens with a suspicious eye. For me to sacrifice my liberty for my security. You have lost. I saw her this morning. At last, after nights and days of waiting. She was as beautiful as when she left on Friday evening. As beautiful as when I fell head over heels in love with her, more than twelve years ago. Of course I am devastated with grief. I will give you your victory, but it will be short-lived. I know she will join us every day, and we will find each other in the paradise of free souls which you will never have access to. There are only two of us, my son and I. But we will be stronger than every army in the world. I can not waste any more time on you, as I must go back to my son who has just woken up from his sleep. He is only just seventeen months old. He is going to eat his snack, just like every other day. And then we are going to play, just like every other day. And all his life, this little boy will be happy and free. Because you don't have his hatred, either. Antoine Leiris

[@ladycheeseof97]

Romantic for his love yet heartbreaking for his loss.

[@TheFree33333]

@@fightermma are you recruiting for a cult or something

[@GR-sc3ph]

Beautiful deep words ....he is such a beautiful person Leiris. May his lovely wife rest in peace , she did not deserve to die and leave behind their son.

[@sooz9433]

What a personal tragedy for that man and his little boy. He put his feelings, his heart into words better than I could have done. Amazing.. beautiful and heartbreaking.

[@carolewalker2486]

A beautiful reading of a beautiful letter.

[@barbaramaddern6694]

Beautifully read, just spine tingling and well done Colin. I don’t think just anyone could have read this. 🦋🇦🇺🌅

[@robleary3353]

What a wonderful letter! How the writer was able to do that is unfathonable.

[@kajcenkars]

I remember listening to this letter after the attack and I continue to learn from its message as much as I can. I wish we all did.

[@chrish2277]

Beautifully written and beautifully read. All my love to the Leiris family xx

[@xz9376]

So powerful. There’s so much hatred in this world. I hope people stop hating others, stop giving them that gift.

[@kit-kat3356]

Merci monsieur Firth. A beautiful reading of hope..

[@jeanettemacias5769]

👍👍👍👍

[@jeanettemacias5769]

🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@lorim.1528]

Mr. Leiris, that was such a beautiful letter. Well-written and well-said. I am so sorry for your loss. Your son is very blessed to have you as his father. Colin, that could not have been read better. Thank you! ❤️

[@januzzell8631]

I don't know how he managed that without breaking - so beautiful - I'm a mess

[@221b-Maker-Street]

Rehearsal. it injures you slightly, after having read it 30 times over. 🥺

[@Falbala146]

I read this letter on fb a few days after it happened and I cried so hard.

[@danamichaels6936]

how can anyone read this without crying. amazing what actors do

[@openskies11]

I don't how Colin read that without tearing up. I wouldn't have been able to.

[@mariskavanvuuren4163]

Colin Firth is my spirit animal 😀. I love this man so much. What a talent.

[@paulac.munoztorres]

Mr Antoine is one hell of a wise and kind hearted man. I am so goddamn sorry for his loss.

[@lenakatarinaful]

❤️

[@vibrantscolor]

Love and Light to you Antoine and your son. That letter was a powerful explanatory vision.

[@kimarnill7648]

Made me cry , so beautiful

[@charlielanguellholt3877]

How are you doing 😊😊👋😊

[@mchapman132]

Heartbreaking. Firth read that beautifully.

[@tishw4576]

I'm so touched. What an inspiring letter.

[@katherinepettus5132]

His voice is so perfect for reading words of love.

[@andrewfairbrother259]

Who are the 9 people who gave this beautiful thing the thumbs down? One can only surmise as to their motives.

[@allisong6]

Thank you to the you tube algorithms for bringing this back to me, it's so beautifully written bless the families effected by this pain. And thank u for reading this and highlighting love to all.

[@annabella7285]

So utterly poignant and beautiful!

[@reilester849]

So emotional it was beautiful

[@juliadouglas872]

So moving. Sitting by myself, tearing up and clapping along with the crowd. Bravo.

[@tonistokes1790]

Heart wrenching to hear Colin Firth read this with such emotion and compassion.

[@anninotomei3914]

So powerful, dignified and so full of love. I hope you and your boy are happy and thriving. So much love to you both

[@susansheehan9726]

This had me weeping. Such a powerful message, my love to Antoine, his son and all the beautiful people taken. 🙏🙏❤️

[@travelsambtravelsamb8791]

What a beautiful eloquent letter read with such respect and emotion. I was in awe

[@nganle-qk1qv]

He cried. I don't understand why someone can be dislike this.

[@jeanettemacias5769]

😢😢😢😢

[@davidteasdale1]

It's easy to click the wrong button with tears in your eyes.

[@andrewduncan4908]

Such a weak response to existential violence does mean that the terrorists have won. They have shown themselves to be wolves and Antoine and those who think this is some sort of response to political violence are sheep that they will continue to prey on. Anger is an energy that is required to defeat the political terrorists and the fellows who support them.

[@nigeljames6017]

@@andrewduncan4908 I think that comment shows that you too have anger in your heart. This was one mans way of overcoming his grief and getting on with his life.

[@Tachikoma-sj6kz]

@@andrewduncan4908 and who the fuck are you to say how he should feel and to criticise him for feeling that way? the fucking arrogance.

[@timprescott4634]

Remarkable…thank you, algorithm.

[@farahelahi5311]

Wow! The feelings are so well expressed. To deprive a little boy of his mother was too much to bear!😢

[@helenchamberlain2144]

When he said 17 months old I couldn't cope

[@rebeccacahill1000]

Whoa... Touched on so many levels. Kudos Mr. Firth. Love to the husband and son.

[@adnamallerom4137]

Even Collins voice started to waiver 🥺 the lump in his throat would have been huge 😢

[@lairddougal3833]

I’m not sure that applause was the appropriate conclusion to that letter. I don’t criticise it. Not at all. It’s our reflexive expression of approval, support and, I suppose in such circumstances, polite solidarity. I, no doubt, would have contributed to that expression. But, with the benefit of reflection, I would have preferred silence, the sort of silence that would magnify Mr Leiris’s already powerful words and sentiments so well rendered by Mr Firth. Thank you.

[@junbh2]

Silence takes coordination. One person can start applause and then the next will join in and the next and next. But silence doesn't really work that way. You'd need someone to introduce the speech and at the same time let people know the plan.

[@luller85]

I take the applause as agreement in the letter of not giving into hate and to the beauty and sentiment of Antoine’s words. I don’t think the applause is that out of place. Whooping would have been.

[@allasar]

Applause can have many meanings. Cheers, joy, agreement, respect, ... For instance, after what happened to his wife, Antoine does not give in to hatred, and I applaud him for that.

[@Tyrannosaurus_STFU_III]

"I would have preferred silence".... Since when was this about you and what you prefer?

[@beckv8526]

Just listening and I'm sobbing. How did Colin not break down in tears?

[@LifesPeachy321]

*What a profound piece of art that letter was!* It moved me to my core, and made me step back and take a good long look at myself! I pray I'm never in that situation, but if I am, I hope I could handle it such a beautiful powerful way!

[@iantucker38]

So extraordinarily powerful. The spirit and soul of M. Leiris is exceptional. Beautifully read.

[@asylumchoir4586]

Thank you for sharing this. Living souls are truly what make God smile. My mother died 15 years ago on this day. I know that she is wherever there is Beauty. 🌸🕯🕊❤️

[@Hannah-dd6bo]

Heartbreaking.

[@karenrubenmoss9307]

So moving and heart wrenching.

[@ExLibris-Alys]

So incredibly moving.

[@jeanettemacias5769]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jeanettemacias5769]

🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@wolfgangezeh2221]

God, how did I get to read this and cry my heart out? It’s so full of love and pain. May her soul rest in peace and I pray that you continue to have that mindset of never giving in to hate for those monsters. God give you strength to care for your Boy.

[@missjoshemmett]

And you, sir, are the brave one. The killer is the coward.

[@1c2h3e4u5n6g]

Thank you for the powerful message

[@alansturgess1324]

So moving - both the letter and Colin's reading. You could see that it affected him just as it will affect every normal human being.

[@khanG-gq9hc]

Heartbreaking yet powerful beyond measure ❤️

[@mr.mrs.d.7015]

I have watched this so many times and even so it still gives me chills and breaks my heart every time.

[@ennediend2865]

BEAUTIFULLY DONE !

[@trevorohare2735]

I met Helene Muyal when she lived in the United States in Philadelphia. At the time we were young kids. She was 17 when I first met her. We had our group of friends together and had good times. Helene was an amazing gem of a person. Rest in paradise Helene we all miss you back in the States.. You did not deserve that..

[@maryclynch9356]

I remember this. What a great person to pen that letter.

[@gratialake8459]

Read with so much emotion, xx

[@charlielanguellholt3877]

Hello how are you doing 😊😊😊

[@Susanluc59]

So very powerful.

[@andrewfairbrother259]

Heart wrenching.

[@feenixgrrl]

This was gorgeous. I hope someday you release Tobias Menzies's reading.

[@lindaf7095]

Whay an emotional & beautiful letter, written at a time when her husband must have been in so much pain, but there was no hatred in his words...just Love, for his poor wife, & for his Son, who i'm sure will grow up & have a happy life, regardless of the awful atrocity that took his Mommy away. My prayers go out to that family & lots of Love for a better future xx

[@andronicemarinis1072]

So emotional. Bravo.

[@theempress1104]

Colin Firth is my favorite actor in the whole world for doing justice to Mr. Darcy in BBC pride and prejudice.... no one has done that character justice before.... or since, in my opinion. 😊 And that just shows his talent coz Darcy is understated and is more himself by what he doesn't say and how he acts.

[@mioxu5449]

beautiful performance, really nice

[@margo3367]

To be loved like that...

[@peekeyeseek]

For me, this is the point of being able to forgive. It's not about letting someone away with something. It's so much more that you give to yourself. Like peace a peaceful soul. Deep seated peace is better than deep-seated hatred. Thankyou for sharing your thoughts Antoine.

[@jjforcebreaker]

Absolutely amazing.

[@theavandenberg6876]

Heartbreaking powerfull stuff. I sincerely hope the writer has managed his goal and is now raising a happy son. 🥺

[@chichivika47]

Time had passed, but his voice is the same like " in vain i have struggled but it won't do. Allow me to tell you how ardently i admire and love you" P&P

[@deborahduthie4519]

A wonderfully emotive letter read by Colin Firth.

[@sjinzaar]

how is it possible that someone can make me cry in 2 minutes....

[@lauraorsini73]

Merci Colin.....

[@ashleywebster2659]

This is the first time I've come across this letter. What a beautiful, well thought out and crafted response to such an ugly and tragic event. Proving that when you weaponise language, and temper it with a steely restraint, it can be far more brutal and effective than any blade or bullet.

[@AnneliesRosseel]

I love Colin’s voice 😍 he was so brilliant if he was priest at my church I would immediately go 😍😍❤️

[@martinwalker3497]

Respect, love and best wishes Antoine to you and your son.

[@samw8452]

I wish i could have the strength and wisdom of this man who did not give place to those who wronged his family. May he and his son find peace..

[@amysill3815]

Beautiful... so moving.

[@georgemanka]

Magnificent.

[@vickiesmith3021]

What a truly amazing men they both are.

[@TheKevinkauffman06]

This was not how I felt. I'll carry that hate forever, and the man who killed my love was just a drunk driver. He's out of prison enjoying life with his kids, and I'm here, stuck in time, wondering if you ever really loved someone if you don't hate who took them from you. Fuck forgiveness.

[@eddiy335]

This isn't about you so what you would do is irrelevant. You also have no right to tell someone how they should heal or deal with the aftermath of such tragedy. Hatred and anger isn't going to bring the person back so why should he be bitter for the rest of his life? If he wants to forgive his wife's killers that's up to him and it doesn't mean he didn't love her.

[@TheKevinkauffman06]

@@eddiy335 yet here you are telling me how to handle my grief? Hypocrical loud mouth. I'll keep my hate as it's all I have left. I will never forgive that man, as he's off living his best life after taking hers, and destroying me in the process. Who tf are you? The things I would do to him are numerous, but forgiveness is not among them.

[@TheKevinkauffman06]

@@eddiy335 I have no one and nothing left but HATE. Without the hate there's only depression and negativity. I hate ppl like you and him. Shove your forgiveness up your @$$

[@brendatajik6150]

I have no words😥

[@crazyduck1254]

i have tears welled in my eyes. Too sad.

[@lindarennie1708]

thank you

[@ER-uy7ct]

Yes. Hatred is a waste.

[@charlkriek4863]

Could not stop crying.

[@haroldwalton932]

love over hate everytime xxxxx

[@saraeli8626]

and now i'm crying

[@jeanettemacias5769]

😢😢😢😢

[@ameliecarre4783]

Translate that in any language, it will always make me cry.

[@monikaszymanowska5142]

Even if I am not religious, I feel that getting rid of hatred towards the others and ignoring their hatred towards us is the peak of human greatness and strenght.

[@kristine8338]

Thank you YT ❣️

[@unconditionalfreedom]

That was pure and lovely

[@corinam.2633]

Everyday we get to choose what we give back to the people : love or hate. I wish i had Antoine's kind and noble feelings. I am not a bad person, but many years ago, i lost someone very dear, the biggest part of my soul, the love of my life, my father. I do not want to remember all, because it's still hurts, but not even the most horror film of all times could scared me the way part of my family did. I was hated for no reason, my only fault was that i'm an only child and i inherited his apartment. Up to that point nobody hurt me that bad. And after some time has passed, i decided that hate was going to be my shield in this life. It is a burden, because i'm a very emotional and sensitive person, that is why i struggle with ptsd and high anxiety. What i am trying to say is that pain changes you. It can trigger the best or the worst in us. God bless Antoine and his son.

[@bythepricklingofmythumb7628]

So moving.