PARIS (AP) — French cinema is currently in the spotlight as the #MeToo movement gains ground in the country’s film industry. Recent allegations of sexual and physical abuse by prominent film directors have cast a dark shadow on the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world. As France gears up for the prestigious Cesar Awards, the industry faces a reckoning with its past.
Actress Judith Godrèche is expected to address the issue of sexual violence at the upcoming Cesar Awards ceremony, France’s equivalent of the Oscars. Godrèche has accused two prominent film directors of rape and sexual abuse when she was a teenager. These allegations have reignited the conversation around sexual misconduct within the French film industry.
Among the accused directors is Benoît Jacquot, with whom Godrèche had a six-year relationship that began when she was just 14 years old. Another director, Jacques Doillon, has also been accused of sexual abuse by Godrèche. Both directors have denied the allegations, sparking a public debate and prompting other women to come forward with similar accounts of abuse.
In addition to Godrèche, actress Isild Le Besco has accused Jacquot of psychological and physical violence in a relationship that started when she was 16 and he was 52. Anna Mouglalis, another actress, has accused Doillon of sexual assault. These allegations have sent shockwaves through the French film industry, exposing a disturbing pattern of abuse and exploitation.
The #MeToo movement has finally caught up with the French film industry, shedding light on the dark underbelly of an industry often associated with glamour and prestige. The courage of these actresses to speak out against powerful figures in the industry is a powerful reminder of the long-standing prevalence of sexual abuse and misconduct in the world of entertainment. As the Cesar Awards ceremony approaches, the industry is faced with a pivotal moment of accountability and reflection.