French authorities have detained two prominent arthouse film directors, Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon, over allegations of sexual abuse amid a #MeToo reckoning in France’s film industry. The directors, aged 77 and 80, deny the accusations, some dating back to the 1980s. This comes as activists highlight abuse in French cinema that has been covered up for too long.
One actor, Judith Godreche, has accused Jacquot of rape and Doillon of sexual assault when she was a minor. Other actors have also filed complaints against the men. The directors’ lawyers have argued that they should be considered innocent until proven guilty and criticized the media coverage of the case.
The filmmakers have been detained and could be questioned until Tuesday evening. Godreche, a key voice in France’s #MeToo movement, expressed deep emotion and determination to seek justice. This incident follows the resignation of Dominique Boutonnat, head of France’s top cinema institution, who was convicted of sexually assaulting his godson.
The case also comes as cinema legend Gerard Depardieu prepares to stand trial for sexually assaulting two women, with the possibility of a second trial for rape. French lawmakers have established a commission to address sexual and gender-based violence in the film industry and other cultural sectors. The renewed focus on abuse in French cinema reflects a broader cultural shift towards accountability and justice for survivors of sexual misconduct.
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