Photo of Protestors Seizing Police Car is a Movie Scene
The Claim
A photo shows protesters taking control of a police car amidst the recent wave of riots in France.
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During the recent riots in France, social media users circulated a photo claiming to feature French protesters seizing control of a police car.
The image garnered massive attention and was widely shared by social media users, often accompanied by the caption "France - photos of the day."
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral photo and found the claim to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team found that the circulating photo originated from a scene in a Netflix movie.
The Photo of Protesters Seizing Police Car is From a Movie Scene
The photo was taken from a scene from the 2022 French movie "Athena," which is available on Netflix.
Ayther, a website, used the same photo in an article published on September 18, 2022, discussing the release date of the movie "Athena" on Netflix.
The official Twitter account of Netflix France also shared the video scene on August 23, 2022. This further confirms that the image originated from the movie "Athena" and was not related to the recent riots in France.
tibsogameTV, a YouTube channel, also published the whole scene from the movie on September 25, 2022.
“Athena” on Netflix
"Athena" is a 2022 French epic action drama film directed by Romain Gavras.
The movie revolves around the theme of youth clashing with the police in France. It explores the aftermath of the tragic and unexplained death of the characters' youngest brother, serving as a catalyst for the events that unfold in the film.
The film had its world premiere at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 9, 2022, where it competed for the prestigious Golden Lion award. It was subsequently released on September 23, 2022, on Netflix. "Athena" garnered mostly positive reviews, with particular praise directed towards its direction and technical aspects.
France Riots After the Murder of Nahel M
On the fifth night of unrest in France, law enforcement confirmed a minimum of 700 arrests. Nevertheless, officials noted a perceived decrease in the severity and scope of the turmoil that had ignited after a teen of Algerian and Moroccan heritage was fatally shot by police. This evaluation was made despite an attack on a local mayor's dwelling.
The Ministry documented over 40 wounded officers, 577 torched vehicles, 74 inflamed buildings, and 871 fires ignited in streets and public spaces.
In an effort to re-establish order, over 7,000 law enforcement personnel were mobilized in the broader Paris area, including the renowned Champs Élysées, to counteract calls for congregations there circulated on social media.
The funeral for 17-year-old Nahel M, who lost his life after a police officer shot him during a traffic stop, unfolded peacefully on Saturday in his hometown of Nanterre, a suburb of Paris.
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