The director accused of sexually assaulting French actor Adele Haenel when she was a minor went on trial in Paris on Monday. Haenel’s accusations sparked a #MeToo movement in French cinema, with other actors coming forward.
Director Christophe Ruggia is accused of sexually assaulting Haenel in the early 2000s when she was under 15 and he was in his mid to late 30s.
Haenel, star of films "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" and "120 Beats Per Minute" went public in 2019 with a description of the sexual assault she allegedly suffered at the hands of Ruggia.
The two met working on the movie "The Devils" in 2001 when she was 12 and he was 36.
Ruggia has denied all the charges against him, although he admits to committing "errors". He has suggested that Haenel’s accusations stem from wanting "revenge" for not casting her in other projects.
'Complacency' towards abusers
In a court document seen by the AFP news agency, the investigating magistrate said Haenel's accusations were "precise and consistent" and that she had suffered psychological consequences from the assaults.
She accused Ruggia of isolating her from her family and crewmembers, while also forcing her and co-star Vincent Rottiers into filming scenes that they were uncomfortable with.
Several crew members told investigators of their "unease" with Ruggia's behaviour towards the young actor on set, calling it "invasive" and "inappropriate".
If found guilty of sexual assault of a minor, Ruggia faces up to ten years in prison and a €150,000 fine.
#MeToo in French cinema
Haenel became an icon for speaking out, credited with launching a #MeToo movement in French cinema that has prompted others to speak up.
"I believe I have done something good for the world and my integrity," Haenel said after coming forward in 2019. "It doesn't matter if it harms my career."
In 2020, Haenel made a noisy exit at the Cesars award ceremony to protest against a prize given to veteran director Roman Polanski, who is wanted by the US over statutory rape allegations.
However, disillusioned with her attempts to change the industry from inside, in 2022 she said she was stepping away from acting because of what she said was French cinema’s “complacency” towards sexual predators.
In 2024, actress Judith Godrèche received a standing ovation at Cesars after she spoke out against sexual violence in the French film industry.
Gerard Depardieu, one of France's leading actors, is due to go on trial next year on accusations of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021.
(with AFP, Reuters)
