Ridley Scott tackles rape culture in epic tale The Last Duel

By Magdalena Tsanis

Madrid, Oct 27 (EFE).- Thirty years after Thelma & Louise (1991), a landmark movie that challenged rape culture, Ridley Scott has revisited the issue with The Last Duel, a story set in 14th century France about a woman who dares to speak out about her assault.

The story is told from three different viewpoints, the victim’s husband Jean de Carrouges (played by Matt Damon who also penned the script alongside Ben Affleck and Nicole Holfocener), the assailant Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) and noblewoman Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer).

“It was how Matt and Ben and Nicole put it on paper, it became evident that I should definitely do it,” Scott told Efe.

“It was a marvelous case represented in such an interesting way, the conversation was almost like a trial,” the director added.

The movie, which was screened at the Venice film festival last month, is based on the last trial by combat to take place in France in 1386.

Norman knight Carrouges requested a duel with Le Gris over the alleged rape of his wife.

“The most important point of view is Marguerite’s,” Scott told Efe.

“Marguerite’s point of view is the truth.”

Affleck explained that they approached the story from the angle that there is truth regardless of point of view.