Support The Wall – Autism 
PDF “The Wall or psychoanalysis put to the test for autism”, is a French documentary filmed by Sophie Robert.
It describes the misuse of the psychoanalitic approach of autism in France and the discriminations of autistic children in France.
This document provides a summary of the movement and the legal battle for October 2011.
October 2011
October 12th 2011: First Radio interview
Sophie Robert gives her first radio interview to Vivre FM in Paris.
October 18th to October 28th 2011: The legal battle starts – Footage are seized by the court
Three psychoanalysts (French psychoanalyst Eric Laurent, French/Argentinian psychoanalyst Esthela Solano-Suarez and Belgian psychoanalyst Alexandre Stevens) are suing Sophie Robert, her production company Océan Invisible Productions, and the non-profit organization “Autistes Sans Frontières” before the regional civil court of Lille (North of France).
On October 18th 2011, their lawyer sends to the court a petition to confiscate the dailies of the documentary and the complete video footage for “proof preservation purposes”. The legal document in French can be accessed here.
On October 25th 2011, the judge rules in favor of the plaintiffs without any contradictory preliminary hearing, denying due-process to Sophie Robert.The judge mandates a bailiff to execute the ruling. The legal document in French can be accessed here.
Sophie Robert refuses to comply and to provide the footage arguing that she is a journalist and that her work is protected by the secrecy of sources. She immediately hires a lawyer named Benoît Titran.
On October 27th 2011, her lawyer sends a petition to dismiss the petition. The legal document in French is available here.
On October 28th 2011, the courts rules in favors of the plaintiffs. The court denies her the right to be considered a journalist and to be protected by the secrecy of sources. As a result, Sophie Robert is forced to provide her complete footage to the court, including footage that might damage the reputation of professionals who spoke anonymously or that might cause repraisal for some families.
October 26th 2011: First political support
Gwendal Rouillard, Representative from the Labour Party (Parti Socialiste) writes to the Ministry of Solidarity Roselyne Bachelot about the dramatic situation of autism in France and shows her support to the documentary. His letter in French is available here.
October 28th 2011: First TV
The Regional TV station “France 3 Pas de Calais” explains the legal battle surrounding the documentary in its evening TV newscast and interviews Sophie Robert.
by David Heurtevent, MA Georgetown, Asperger
[...] and Alexandre Stevens (who were three of those interviewed for the film) have brought a court action against [...]
[...] to provide the court with all her footage which relates to the film she made. According to this web site she has refused to do so pointing out that as a journalist she is entitled to protect her sources. [...]
[...] “The Wall or psychoanalysis put to the test for autism”, is a French documentary filmed by Sophie Robert. It describes the misuse of the psychoanalitic approach of autism in France and the discriminations of autistic children in France. This document provides a summary of the movement and the legal battle for October 2011. Read more …. [...]