A French filmmaker accused of sexually assaulting actor Adèle Haenel when she was a minor is set to stand trial in Paris on Monday, five years after her allegations ignited France's #MeToo movement.
Christophe Ruggia, who is accused of sexually assaulting Haenel—star of films such as Portrait of a Lady on Fire and 120 Beats Per Minute—in the early 2000s when she was under 15 and he was in his mid to late 30s, will face the court. This case is among several that have raised concerns about sexual violence in French society, particularly within the arts community.
"We're talking about a famous actor jeopardizing her career" by making these accusations, said Yann Le Bras, Haenel's lawyer. Ruggia, 59, who once led the French directors' union, has denied all charges against him, though he admits to committing "errors". Le Bras described the situation as "a 36-year-old man who molested a 12-year-old girl for several years".
Haenel, 35, has become a symbol in France for speaking out against complacency towards sexual abuse in the film industry. In 2019, she publicly detailed the sexual assault she allegedly suffered at the hands of Ruggia, accusing him of subjecting her to "constant sexual harassment" from the age of 12 to 15, including "forced kisses on the neck" and inappropriate touching.
Ruggia directed Haenel in the 2002 film The Devils, her first film role at the age of 12. Several crew members reported feeling uneasy about Ruggia's behavior towards the young actor, describing it as "invasive" and "inappropriate".
In a court document seen by AFP, the investigating magistrate noted that Haenel's accusations were "precise and consistent" and that she had suffered psychological consequences from the assaults. The significant age difference between Ruggia and Haenel, along with the "psychological control" the director exerted over the young actor due to his position of authority, were considered potentially aggravating factors.
Ruggia has suggested that Haenel's accusations stem from a desire for "revenge" over not being cast in other projects. If found guilty of sexual assault of a minor, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros ($159,000; Dh582,225). His lawyers declined to comment before the trial.
The accusations shocked the French film industry, which had been slower to react to the #MeToo movement, highlighting issues of sexual abuse in the arts. In 2020, Haenel made a public protest at the Cesars award ceremony against a prize for director Roman Polanski, who is wanted by the US over statutory rape allegations.
Haenel, who has won France's highest Cesar film award twice, announced her departure from the industry last year, citing its complacency towards sexual predators. This case is one of several that have rocked France's film and arts world.
Gerard Depardieu, 75, is set to stand trial in March for allegedly sexually assaulting two women, and may face a second trial after being charged in 2020 with the rape of an actor in 2018 when she was 22 and anorexic, all of which he denies. Additionally, actor Judith Godrèche accused two French directors—Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon—of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager.
Godrèche accused Jacquot of raping her during a six-year relationship that began when she was 14 and he was 25 years her senior. She also said Doillon abused her when she was 15—charges both directors have denied.
"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," she added.
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