As the hours go by, the shock wave spreads in French cinema. The testimony of Adèle Haenel hit the mark. In an interview given Monday, November 4 in Mediapart, the actress of 30 years tells the "harassment" she suffered from the director Christophe Ruggia. She denounces "the hold" he has exerted on her, "permanent sexual harassment", repeated "touching" and "forced kisses in the neck".
On Wednesday, the Paris prosecutor's office announces to open a preliminary investigation for "sexual assault" on children under the age of 15 "per person with authority" and "sexual harassment", entrusted to the Central Office of the repression of violence against people (OCRVP).
The man and the girl met on the set of the film "Les Diables", the actress's first feature film shot when she was only 12 years old. The harassment lasted until she had fifteen while the filmmaker was approaching quarantine, tells Adele Haenel. She explains that she did not wish to file a complaint. She regrets that there are "so few" convictions in this type of case and denounces "systemic violence against women in the justice system".
Flood of reactions
Since then, statements by Adèle Haenel have not gone unnoticed. On Monday night, while the actress gives an interview on Mediapart live, the Society of Film Directors (SRF) announces the cancellation of Christophe Ruggia and expresses his "total support" to the actress.
The SRF gives its full support to Adèle Haenel. @Mediapart @marineturchi #AdeleHaenel News Release: pic.twitter.com/VQ9XehYyBv
LaSRF (@ LaSRF1968) November 4, 2019Tuesday is Unifrance, the body responsible for promoting French cinema abroad, which "condemns without reservation any act of violence or inappropriate behavior". The organization announces that it will develop "a charter soon for the attention of artists and professionals brought to participate in the events organized or initiated by Unifrance".
And on social networks, the testimony of Adèle Haenel raises a flood of reactions of the world of the 7th art. "A great admiration for Adèle Haenel, who speaks for those who are in the shadows ...", testifies the actress Julie Gayet on Instagram.
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A great admiration for Adèle Haenel, who speaks for those who are in the shadows ... No longer accept the unacceptable. Free speech. #metoo @timesupnow #NowOnAgit @fondationdesfemmes @noustoutorg Saturday, November 23, national meeting in Paris to march against sexual and sexual violence.
A publication shared by Julie Gayet (@iamjuliegayet) on Nov. 5, 2019 at 11:59 PST
"Adèle, your courage is a gift of unparalleled generosity," post Marion Cotillard. "You break a silence so heavy, your testimony is of an incredible power, it resonates deeply ... Dear Adele, you make history," adds the Oscar-winning actress.
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Adèle Your courage is a gift of unparalleled generosity for women and men, for young actresses and actors, for all the damaged people who know now thanks to you that they do not have to undergo this violence. And for those who have suffered it, that they can speak, they will be listened to and heard. You break a silence so heavy. Your testimony is of unheard-of power. He resonates deeply. Dear Adele, You make history. The story of this liberating revolution. Our story and that of our children. I have infinite gratitude to you.
A publication shared by @ marioncotillard on Nov. 5, 2019 at 9:26 PST
"To watch, to listen, to hear @adelehaenel, to be totally upset, to want my daughter and my son to hear it too, and never forget it," wrote the actress Romane Bohringer.
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LOOKING, LISTENING, HEARING @adelehaenel Being TOTALLY BOULEVERSÉE.Avolving that my daughter AND my son also hear it.And they never forget it. Be amazed by the clarity of her thought, by the force of her words.By the light that springs from her.By the light that springs through it.Adele, magnificent fighter. # Adelehaenel #metoo
A publication shared by RomaneBohringerOfficiel (@romanebohringerofficiel) on Nov. 5, 2019 at 9:39 PST
"Thank you for the sincerity, thank you for the courage especially, thank you for all those who feel empowered thanks to you, to do the same," says actress and director Audrey Dana. On the men's side, Omar Sy and Manu Payet, without making grand statements, modestly express their support for the actress.
French cinema long dumb
For the world of French cinema, it's a thunderclap: even after the Weinstein affair, it had barely faltered. In Hollywood, on the contrary, the revelations published in the American press in October 2017 caused an immediate shock wave. The powerful producer Harvey Weinstein has been banned from Hollywood, Cannes, and all circles of influence. His production company has gone out of business.
In American cinema, heads fall one after the other. And outside this small circle, followed a flood of testimonies and accusations. Everywhere, speech is free. In France, many women testify under the banners #MeToo and #Balance your Pork.
French actresses also testify against Harvey Weinstein. Emma de Caunes, Judith Godreche, Juliette Binoche, Léa Seydoux, or Marion Cotillard accuse her of harassment or sexual assault. But the men of French cinema seem spared. The medium remains welded. Catherine Deneuve and others even sign a platform to defend the "freedom to importuner".
And until the case Luc Besson, no complaint had fallen against a man of the cinema in activity. Then, in early 2019, the actress Sand Van Roy accuses the French director of rape, without it causing an earthquake. His various complaints are dismissed and the New York Times is astonished by the virtual silence of France. Sand Van Roy, she is not discouraged and filed a new complaint with civil party. A judicial inquiry was opened last October.