Two Famous French Directors Arrested on Suspicion of Sexual Assault

On Monday, French police arrested two renowned directors, Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon, on suspicion of sexual assault. Both directors have denied the allegations. Judith Godrèche, a 52-year-old actress and director, has accused Jacquot of rape and Doillon of sexual abuse during her childhood. She claims that Jacquot had control over her from the age of 14 to 20, and that Doillon assaulted her while filming one of his movies. Isild Le Besco, a 41-year-old actress, has also accused Jacquot of rape, stating that the relationship began when she was 16 and involved an unhealthy dynamic. Lawyers for both directors argue that their clients' arrests for questioning were unnecessary and that they should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Godrèche expressed her satisfaction with the police action on Instagram, stating that she was deeply affected by the news. This incident has once again challenged the French film industry, which has long been accused of covering up sexual abuses. The industry has previously faced multiple allegations against Gérard Depardieu, the 75-year-old icon of French cinema. Since her revelations, Judith Godrèche has become a prominent figure in the #MeToo movement in France, and her call for the establishment of a regulatory body in cinema has led to the formation of a commission to investigate sexual violence in the film industry and other cultural sectors.