Interpreting for an Icon: Gisèle Pélicot for CBC News
Interviews with icons require more than technical skill — they demand sensitivity, preparation, and the ability to convey truth with precision. In January 2025, FAB FIXERS had the honour of working with CBC News's Sunday Magazine to facilitate an interview with Gisèle Pélicot in an undisclosed location in central Paris.
The Pitch: Interviewing Gisèle Pélicot on the Launch of A Hymn To Life
Timed to coincide with the release of her memoir A Hymn To Life, the interview offered a rare opportunity to hear directly from Gisèle Pélicot — a woman whose courage in the face of unimaginable trauma has made her a global symbol of resilience and justice. Sunday Magazine host Piya Chattopadhyay spoke with Gisèle Pélicot about "falling down to hell" and her journey to reclaim her life and identity.
FAB FIXERS was brought on to provide live interpretation between English and French — ensuring the conversation flowed naturally while preserving the emotional weight and nuance of Gisèle Pélicot's words.
On set with CBC News’ Sunday Magazine, minutes before the start of the interview, January 2026
A Confidential Location
The interview took place in a secure, undisclosed location in central Paris. Given the sensitivity of the subject matter and the profile of the interviewee, strict confidentiality protocols were observed. Our team coordinated closely with CBC’s producers to ensure the environment was both comfortable for Madame Pélicot and optimal for filming.
Preparing for a Sensitive Interpretation
Unlike many high-profile figures, Gisèle Pélicot had given very few interviews before the publication of her book. This meant there was limited reference material to study her speech patterns, pacing, and tone. Virgile conducted extensive research into her court testimonies and public statements, familiarising himself with the rhythm and cadence of her voice, as well as the emotional gravity of her story.
Live interpretation for such a conversation requires not just linguistic fluency but emotional intelligence — the ability to convey not only the words, but the pauses and the humanity behind them. Virgile's role as an interpreter was to be present, precise, and most importantly, invisible — allowing Gisèle Pélicot's voice to come through unfiltered.
The Right Setup for a Historic Conversation
What was scheduled as a 45-minute interview became a deeply engaged conversation between Pélicot and Chattopadhyay. Throughout, Gisèle Pélicot spoke with remarkable clarity and strength about her journey, her book, and her belief in the power of reclaiming one's story.
The result is a powerful piece of journalism — one that honours Gisèle Pélicot's courage and offers insight into the woman behind the headlines.
Listen to the interview here: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/sunday/gisele-pelicot-book-release-survivor-9.7075230
Why Choose FAB FIXERS?
Our multilingual network: Since 2014, we’ve built a network of interpreters, translators, and fixers fluent in French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and more — across France and throughout Europe.
Our unmatched experience: Positioned at the crossroads of news and corporate production, we uphold the highest standards of filming and delivery, while maintaining the integrity of professional journalism.
Our sensitivity and precision: We understand that some stories call for more than technical competence — they require care, preparation, and respect for the people at their centre.
We'd love to make your project come to life. Get in touch: virgile@fabfixers.com
Title: Interpreting for Gisèle Pélicot
Client: CBC News / Sunday Magazine
Date: January 2025
Location: Paris, France