"Film Industry, Female Human Trafficking Cover-up"... France Overturned After Public Exposure

Judith Godr?che Speaks at C?sar Awards Ceremony
"Forced to Film Sex Scene by Director at Age 15" Revelation

French actress Judith Godr?che (51), who claimed she was sexually harassed as a teenager by a film director who forced her to film sex scenes, asserted that "the French film industry is concealing 'illegal trafficking of women'."

On the 24th (local time), British media such as The Times reported that at the C?sar Awards ceremony, France's largest film festival held the previous day, Godr?che raised her voice against the widespread sexual violence crimes in the French film industry.

At the event, Godr?che said, "It is time for the French film industry to face the truth," and questioned, "Why must we accept that this art, which we love so much and that unites us, is being used as a means to cover up 'illegal trafficking' of young women?" She went on to emphasize, "We can decide no longer to allow men accused of rape to dominate the film industry." The ceremony was broadcast live on French television.

On the 23rd (local time), actress Judith Godr?che is speaking at the C?sar Awards ceremony held in Paris, France.
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

Godr?che gained fame through films such as "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1998), in which she starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, and has appeared in over 30 works as a seasoned actress. In December last year, she revealed through an autobiographical documentary series that she had been sexually assaulted on film sets when she was a minor.

She claimed that more than 30 years ago, film director Jacques Doillon, who was 43 at the time, insisted on filming sex scenes with her, then 15 years old, over forty-five takes, saying, "He put those filthy hands on my 15-year-old chest." In response, director Doillon countered by stating he would sue Godr?che for making false accusations.

Godr?che also alleged that she dated director Beno?t Jacquot, who was in his 40s, for six years starting when she was 14 in 1986, during which Jacquot repeatedly subjected her to physical and sexual abuse. In January, she named Jacquot directly on her social media and recently filed a lawsuit against him for rape and assault of a minor under 15. Godr?che said in an interview with a media outlet that as her daughter entered puberty, she realized too late that her teenage relationship with Jacquot was problematic, adding, "If a 40-year-old man approached my daughter, I would kill him."

As Godr?che, continuing the 'Me Too' movement, took the stage at the ceremony, the audience erupted in a standing ovation, which continued after her speech. She said at the ceremony, "Do not think that what I am saying is only about my past," adding, "My past is the present of 2,000 people who have sent me testimonies of their suffering and the future of all those who do not yet have the strength to be witnesses themselves."

Minister of Culture also gives standing ovation in support of Godr?che

Director Beno?t Jacquot, accused of sexually abusing Godresch when she was 14 years old in 1986
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati also attended the ceremony and gave Godr?che a standing ovation. Before the ceremony, Minister Dati expressed support for Godr?che's 'Me Too' movement in a media interview, criticizing the French film industry for "collectively turning a blind eye to sexual violence for decades." She added, "What we are talking about is not about art but about child crimes," and insisted, "This incident should serve as an opportunity for profound self-reflection within the French film industry."

Recently, the 'Me Too' movement initiated by women in Hollywood in 2017 has resurged in the French film industry. In December last year, G?rard Depardieu (74), a "national actor" who was investigated by prosecutors in 2020 for allegations of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s, faced fierce criticism after it was revealed that during a 2018 visit to North Korea, he made sexual remarks toward a 10-year-old girl. The controversy escalated with involvement from former and current French presidents, sparking debates. Eventually, famous actress Sophie Marceau joined the criticism by recounting the situation during filming with Depardieu. Marceau revealed that Depardieu shamelessly engaged in vulgar behavior toward lower-ranking women on set, and when she raised concerns, she was treated as a troublemaker.

At the 2020 C?sar Awards, veteran director Roman Polanski (90), who has multiple sexual offense convictions, received the Best Director award, sparking controversy. Twelve victims have come forward claiming sexual assault by him, all but one of whom were minors at the time. Polanski fled to France in 1978 while facing trial in the United States for sexual offenses and has remained there since.