Eight women accuse Colombian director Ciro Guerra, known notably for his film The Embrace of the Snake , of sexual violence in an article published Wednesday in the local magazine Volcanicas .
The alleged crimes were allegedly committed between 2013 and 2019 in cities like Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, Berlin, New York or Mexico, according to the magazine. The complainants did not disclose their identities "to avoid reprisals".
Denials
According to reports, Ciro Guerra engaged in with his victims "uncomfortable sexual conversations, invitations to the hotel or his apartment," writes the newspaper. He used "force to touch them sexually, kiss them and, in one case, sexually abuse them, although they told him no in a clear, direct and repeated way" his advances, continues the newspaper.
Ciro Guerra denied the charges and said he would go to court to clear his name. "I apologize to all those who find themselves concerned, to all those who must have read these horrible, deceptive and malicious words," he said in a statement. "I have the peace of mind of being innocent," he added in a video.
The Embrace of the Serpent awarded in Cannes
The complainants alleged that some of the alleged abuses were perpetrated during the Cannes Film Festival and the Cartagena International Film Festival in Colombia. The accusers are actresses, costume designers or women who were part of the film crews, according to the same source, who does not specify their nationality.
According to Volcanicas magazine , the victims do not intend to file a complaint against Ciro Guerra to avoid being humiliated during the legal process.
Ciro Guerra is one of the most internationally recognized Colombian filmmakers. His best-known film, L'Etreinte du serpent (2015), won an award at Cannes in 2015. He was also nominated for the Oscars for Best Foreign Film in 2016.
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