Michèle Ray-Gavras, a French film producer and journalist born in 1939, has had a remarkable career spanning decades. As an independent journalist between 1963 and 1977, she ventured into the heart of conflicts in Vietnam and Bolivia, reporting for multiple French media outlets.
Between April 1966 and February 1967, Michèle Ray embarked on a perilous journey to South Vietnam, where she covered the Vietnam War among American GI forces. Her travels took her to the communist north, where she was captured by the Vietcong on January 17, 1967. After falling ill, she was liberated on February 6 and brought back a groundbreaking report, which was published in the Nouvel Observateur and later featured in the documentary Far from Vietnam. She also wrote a book, The Two Shores of Hell, detailing her harrowing experience.
In 1967, Michèle Ray traveled to Bolivia to report on the capture and death of Che Guevara. She published an article in Paris Match before being expelled from the country. In 1971, she was in Uruguay covering the general election for French television and radio when she was kidnapped by the anarchist group OPR-33 and held captive for three days, from November 29 to December 3. Coincidentally, her then-partner, Costa Gavras, was in Uruguay at the time, preparing for his film State of Siege.
Throughout her career, Michèle Ray-Gavras has demonstrated unwavering courage and dedication to her craft, braving the most challenging and dangerous situations to bring the truth to light. Her remarkable story is a testament to her indomitable spirit and her commitment to journalism.
