PARIS — A significant verdict has been delivered by a Paris court, which found filmmaker Christophe Ruggia guilty of sexually assaulting the actress Adèle Haenel during a period between her ages 12 and 15 in the early 2000s. This case marks one of the first notable trials in France stemming from the #MeToo movement.
On Monday, Ruggia received a sentence of two years of house arrest equipped with an electronic monitoring device, along with an additional two-year suspended sentence. The filmmaker has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.
Adèle Haenel, who is currently 35 years old, had previously been the first prominent actress in France to publicly criticize the film industry for overlooking sexual misconduct, following the global #MeToo campaign. In 2019, she accused Ruggia of inappropriately touching her multiple times during and after filming for the movie “Les Diables” (translated as “The Devils”).
Haenel expressed signs of relief upon hearing the verdict, taking deep breaths as it was announced. She received applause from several advocates for women’s rights as she exited the courthouse.
The court concluded that Ruggia had “exploited the dominant position” he held over Haenel at that time. It stated that during regular meetings at his home for more than three years, Ruggia displayed “sexualized gestures and attitudes” toward her, all while she was gradually becoming distanced from her family and friends.
Ruggia’s defense attorney has indicated their intention to appeal the ruling, asserting that her client has never touched Haenel. “Being sentenced solely based on her statements seems unjust and perilous,” said Fanny Colin, Ruggia’s lawyer.
Adèle Haenel, known for her role in the critically acclaimed 2019 film “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” has been a staunch opponent of what she terms as a lackluster response to sexual misconduct within French cinema. In a noteworthy display during the 2020 César Awards, she left the ceremony in protest after Roman Polanski received the award for Best Director. Polanski remains a fugitive in the US for charges related to the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl decades ago.
In 2023, Haenel announced her departure from the French film industry, citing what she described as the industry’s “complacency toward sexual aggressors.” In an open letter, she accused significant events like the Cannes Film Festival of prioritizing the defense of abusive figures.
Although the initial response to the #MeToo movement in France was lukewarm, a growing number of performers and other industry professionals have since begun to speak out.
Notably, French actress Judith Godrèche attended the court hearing on Monday, sharing her emotional response and highlighting the significance of the moment. “It was a very moving and important moment that reminded me of my own experiences that may also remain unaddressed,” she stated, visibly emotional. Godrèche has alleged that filmmaker Benoît Jacquot raped and physically abused her during a six-year relationship starting when she was just 14 years old. Jacquot, who holds an extensive film and television directing background, is currently facing preliminary charges related to these accusations.
Additionally, Godrèche has leveled sexual abuse allegations against another director, Jacques Doillon, claiming he acted improperly while she was working on a film at the age of 15. Both Jacquot and Doillon have denied Godrèche’s allegations.
In a separate legal matter, renowned French actor Gérard Depardieu is set to face trial in March concerning accusations of sexually assaulting two women on a film set. Depardieu, who has also denied any wrongdoing, is alleged to have employed “violence, coercion, surprise, or threat” during these incidents, which prosecutors claim occurred in 2021 while filming “Les Volets verts” (translated as “The Green Shutters”).
