A Paris court has found filmmaker Christophe Ruggia guilty of sexual assault against actor Adèle Haenel, who was between the ages of 12 and 15 at the time of the incidents, occurring in the early 2000s. This trial marks a significant moment in France's ongoing MeToo movement, being one of the first high-profile cases in the country. Ruggia has been sentenced to two years of house arrest with an electronic monitor and an additional two-year suspended sentence.
Haenel, now 35, accused Ruggia of inappropriate touching during and after the filming of “Les Diables.” She has been vocal about the film industry's failure to address sexual abuse, having previously made headlines by walking out of the César Awards in 2020 in protest against the recognition of director Roman Polanski, who has been a controversial figure due to past criminal charges.
The court determined that Ruggia exploited his position of power over Haenel, noting the nature of their interactions during numerous meetings over three years, which led to her isolation from loved ones. Ruggia's lawyer has stated that he plans to appeal the verdict, arguing that the decision was based solely on Haenel's testimony and lacks sufficient evidence.
The case has spurred broader discussions within the French film community, with other actors also coming forward with allegations of abuse. Notably, actress Judith Godrèche attended the verdict and has accused director Benoît Jacquot of rape and abuse during a previous relationship. Meanwhile, Gérard Depardieu is scheduled to face charges of sexual assault in a separate case later this year. The developments underscore an evolving discourse around accountability for sexual misconduct within the film industry in France.