In Paris on Feb 3, Reuters reports that a verdict is anticipated on Monday in the trial of French film director Christophe Ruggia. He is facing allegations of sexually abusing actress Adele Haenel when she was a minor, marking one of the initial #MeToo cases within French cinema.
Actress Haenel, known for her roles in films like Portrait of a Lady On Fire, alleges that Ruggia inappropriately touched her multiple times after they met during the 2001 production of The Devils when she was 12 and he was 36.
Initially raising accusations against him in 2019, Haenel claimed that Ruggia exerted undue influence over her, isolating her from family and colleagues, and pressuring her and co-star Vincent Rottiers into filming distressing scenes.
Ruggia denies the charges, as confirmed by his lawyer Fanny Colin who declined to make any statements.
Prosecutors are seeking a five-year sentence, including a three-year suspended prison term and two years where he must wear an electronic ankle monitor.
Haenel has emerged as a prominent figure in the French #MeToo movement, which has received a more restrained response than in the United States. She recently exited the film industry, citing concerns regarding alleged sexual predators operating in the field unchecked.
Accusing Ruggia of abuse spanning from 12 to 15 years old, Haenel reported incidents occurring during and after the filming of "The Devils", a film recounting the journey of two abandoned siblings in search of their home.
During investigations, she recounted frequent visits to Ruggia's residence where he would touch her inappropriately and caress her. She expressed how these actions impacted her education and led to suicidal ideation.
Ruggia is not the sole individual in French cinema facing legal actions for misconduct on set. Renowned actor Gerard Depardieu is set to stand trial for allegedly assaulting two women on a film set in 2021, yet he refutes the accusations.