Le Combat d’Alice on France 2: Is This Powerful Animal Rights Drama Based on a True Story?

Le Combat d’Alice: The Heartbreaking France 2 Drama Exploring Animal Cruelty — Is It Inspired by Real Events?

Premiering this Wednesday, May 21 at 9:10 PM on France 2, Le Combat d’Alice is a powerful and emotional 90-minute TV movie that tackles the sensitive issue of animal cruelty. Starring Nicolas Gob and Lucy Loste Berset, this impactful drama follows a grieving teen’s fight to save a life — and heal her own.

What Is Le Combat d’Alice About?

The story centers around Alice, a 16-year-old girl still struggling with the loss of her mother two years earlier. After being expelled from her school, her father Joscelin sends her to the countryside to live with her grandparents.

There, Alice forms a deep bond with a calf named Doucette — only to learn that the young animal is destined for slaughter. Determined to save it, she aligns with animal rights activists, diving headfirst into a cause she believes in with all the intensity of youth.

What begins as a mission to save a life becomes a deeply personal journey — one that may help her reconnect with her father and rebuild what’s been broken between them.

Nicolas Robin – FTV – Aprimegroup

Is Le Combat d’Alice Based on a True Story?

Despite its realism and emotional depth, Le Combat d’Alice is not based on a true story. The screenplay was inspired by Dominique Legrand’s novel 8865, but screenwriter Mikael Ollivier crafted a new narrative that stands apart from the source material.

“I wanted to talk about animal cruelty after discussing it with the author,” Ollivier explained at the La Rochelle Fiction Festival. “He told me, ‘It would be great if a popular TV movie tackled this subject one day.’ I read the novel and then took the idea to producer Pierre Sportolaro.”

Although the film’s plot differs significantly from the novel — which focused on a mother-daughter relationship — Ollivier decided to explore the rarely seen father-daughter dynamic instead.

“We don’t often see that kind of relationship on television. There’s a lot to explore, especially the difficulty fathers can face trying to connect with teenage daughters,” he added.

Grounded in Real Research

Even though the story is fictional, the production made a point to base it in real-world accuracy. Ollivier met with an organic farmer in Normandy who read the script and shared authentic experiences that made it into the film.

One scene, for example, shows a family eating dinner when the children ask which cow they’re eating — and they know its name. That moment was inspired by a true story from the farmer’s own life.

“People might find it shocking, but for some farming families, it’s completely normal,” Ollivier said. “Spending time with real farmers was essential in shaping characters like Isabelle in the film.”

When and Where to Watch

Catch Le Combat d’Alice on Wednesday, May 21 at 9:10 PM on France 2. The film promises to be a moving exploration of grief, family bonds, and the ethical questions around animal farming.

Stay tuned to TipsClear for more deep dives into French dramas, film insights, and real stories behind powerful screen narratives.