LAURE LAURE LAURE !

The extraordinary journey of Olympic champion Laure Manaudou, the greatest French female swimmer in history.

On August 15, 2004, at just 17 years old, she won the gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle at the Athens Olympic Games, propelling France into collective euphoria. This meteoric victory turned her into a national icon, long before the exploits of contemporary swimmers like Léon Marchand.

However, this rapid rise came with intense and often destructive media exposure. The documentary explores the challenges Laure Manaudou faced, including media pressure, public expectations, and harsh criticism of her personal and professional choices. It also delves into issues that remain highly relevant today, such as athletes’ mental health, the role of women in sports, and the dangers of excessive media exposure.

A striking aspect of her story is her early confrontation with the dark side of the digital age. Laure Manaudou was one of the first French public figures to fall victim to revenge porn, as private photos of her were shared without her consent, highlighting the risks of a society where the boundary between private and public life is increasingly blurred.

Featuring testimonies from close associates, including her iconic coach Philippe Lucas and her brother, Olympic champion Florent Manaudou, the film offers an intimate and unprecedented look at Laure’s life. Rare archives and intertwined accounts paint the portrait of an exceptional athlete and a woman navigating the challenges of fame in the digital era.

With sincerity and wisdom, Laure Manaudou reflects on her journey, questioning early celebrity and media pressure in a way that resonates deeply with current debate on media exposure and mental health.