Stéphane Guillon Portrays Robert Badinter in "L'enragé de justice" at Théâtre Antoine

At the Théâtre Antoine, Stéphane Guillon takes on the role of former Minister of Justice Robert Badinter in a play that traces his humanitarian battles. The production, written by Nina Pynson and directed by Jérémie Lippmann, covers key moments such as the Patrick Henry trial in 1977, where Badinter saved the defendant's life, and the 1981 abolition of the death penalty. Guillon, in a simple gray suit and glasses, performs against a moving scenography of library projections and historical videos. Mathias Maréchal plays a journalist interviewing him, holding files color-coded for won and lost cases. Garance Bocobza appears as a former juror, adding emotional depth. The narrative also includes figures like Brigitte Bardot and Charlie Chaplin, whom Badinter defended early in his career. A poignant scene depicts the repatriation of Klaus Barbie, the former Gestapo chief in Lyon, for trial in France. Barbie had ordered the 1943 rafle of rue Sainte-Catherine, where 86 Jews were deported, including Badinter's father, Simon. Badinter's wish led to the trial being entirely filmed for historical significance. The play celebrates Badinter's life as a passionate lawyer and advocate for tolerance and justice, born in 1928 to Jewish parents in Bessarabia.