A new wave of the #MeToo movement in French cinema has once again caught the attention of the international press. French filmmaker Benoît Jacquot, 77, was formally indicted on Wednesday (3) for the rape of actresses Julia Roy and Isild Le Besco. Detained on Monday (1) for questioning, the director spent two days in provisional detention until receiving the order from the French Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Jacquot was charged with the rape of Julia Roy in 2013 and Isild Le Besco between 1998 and 2000, as well as battery and sexual assault against the former. He was also placed under assisted witness status in connection with the marital rapes of both victims.
“In both cases, the complainants who reported facts that are not included in the withheld charges will be contacted personally,” the MP highlighted. The preliminary investigation began after the complaint filed by actress Judith Godrèche against two filmmakers, who denied the accusations.
Godrèche, 52, publicly accused Benoît Jacquot of rape in February and later accused Jacques Doillon of sexual assault. The accusations by the artist, who called for courage from any woman who had suffered the same kind of abuse in showbiz, resulted in public statements and formal complaints from several workers in the sector in France against the filmmakers.
Jacquot’s lawyer, Julia Minkowski, declined to comment but criticized “the incessant attacks” on her client and said the director would prove his innocence.
Isild Le Besco, 41, filed her complaint against Jacquot in late May. The actress, who started out in French cinema in the late 1980s, has made five films under the director: “Sade” (2000), “Adolphe” (2002), “Ave Ja” (2004), “Dalit – Intouchable” (2006) and “Deep in the Forest” (2010), as well as a television film, “Marie Bonaparte” (2004).
Julia Roy, 34, has starred in four films directed by Jacquot: “Bye Bye” (2016), “Eva” (2018), “Casanova’s Last Love” (2019) and “Suzanna Andler: Under the Riviera Sun”, three years ago.
Source: Folha
I am Frederick Tuttle, who works in 247 News Agency as an author and mostly cover entertainment news. I have worked in this industry for 10 years and have gained a lot of experience. I am a very hard worker and always strive to get the best out of my work. I am also very passionate about my work and always try to keep up with the latest news and trends.
