The French film industry is confronting a pivotal moment in the wake of its first significant #MeToo trial, which concluded with the conviction of filmmaker Christophe Ruggia. Found guilty of sexually assaulting actress Adèle Haenel during her early teenage years, this case represents a groundbreaking shift in the industry's attitude towards sexual misconduct.
Ruggia, whose directorial acclaim includes the film “Les Diables,” received a sentence of two years under house arrest, enforced by an electronic bracelet, and an additional two-year suspended sentence. Despite his conviction, Ruggia persists in declaring his innocence and plans to appeal the decision. His lawyer claims that the ruling, based solely on Haenel's testimony, was both unfounded and perilous.
Adèle Haenel, now renowned for her role in “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” emerged as a powerful voice against the pervasive issue of sexual abuse within the French film industry. Her accusations against Ruggia in 2019 marked one of the first high-profile allegations following the global #MeToo movement. Haenel asserted that from 2000 to 2002, Ruggia engaged in inappropriate touching during and after the production of “Les Diables.”
The court criticized Ruggia for exploiting his authority over Haenel, isolating her from her support network while committing the acts. The verdict not only highlighted his misconduct but also sent a strong message across the film community about the repercussions of such behavior.
Haenel's resolve has catalyzed a broader dialogue on addressing sexual harassment and its ramifications in French cinema. Her protest at the 2020 César Awards, where she famously exited in protest of Roman Polanski’s award, garnered international attention. Polanski’s notoriety stems from longstanding sexual assault charges for crimes committed in the U.S.
In 2023, Haenel took a decisive step away from the industry she once loved, condemning its tolerance for sexual predators. Her open letter accused prestigious events like Cannes of shielding abusers in positions of power.
The reverberations of Haenel's courage are evident as more figures within French cinema begin sharing their experiences. Veteran actress Judith Godrèche's testimony at Ruggia's verdict emphasized this growing movement. Her allegations against director Benoît Jacquot, whom she accused of sexual violence from the age of 14, have led to preliminary charges against him. Similarly, she has accused director Jacques Doillon of improper conduct, although both directors deny these claims.
Looking beyond Haenel's case, the industry awaits further legal proceedings, such as the upcoming trial of actor Gérard Depardieu. Accusations against Depardieu involve sexual assault charges that reportedly took place on the set of “Les Volets verts” in 2021. He too has pleaded not guilty, with the trial scheduled for March.
This landmark conviction underscores a watershed moment in French entertainment, poised to reform its approach to handling sexual misconduct. It marks only the beginning of a broader shift towards transparency and accountability, catalyzed by the bravery of individuals like Adèle Haenel.
