Paris, France – The French film industry is once again embroiled in controversy following a recent revelation by actress Judith Godrèche. In a public condemnation, Godrèche revealed that she had a relationship with director Benoît Jacquot in the late 1980s when she was just 14 years old and he was 40. While Jacquot has maintained that Godrèche was 15, the minimum age of consent in France, Godrèche asserts that she was “under his influence” and that the relationship was wrong.
Godrèche, now 51, lived with Jacquot for six years and appeared in his films before leaving him in her early 20s. She has since built a successful career as an actress and recently made her TV directorial debut. Speaking about her experiences, Godrèche expressed concern about the permissive behavior of the cinema world at that time, which turned a blind eye to their relationship.
The outing of her relationship with Jacquot comes at a time when the French film industry is grappling with allegations of inappropriate behavior by another prominent figure, Gérard Depardieu. Depardieu has faced numerous accusations of sexual assault and rape from multiple women. While some members of the industry have begun to criticize Depardieu’s behavior, support for him has also emerged, with petitions both in favor of and against him.
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, the French film industry has been slow to address issues of sexual misconduct and abuse. Godrèche’s public condemnation and the backlash against Depardieu may signal a turning point for the industry as it grapples with systemic issues and the need for change.
It remains to be seen how the French film industry will respond to these recent revelations and whether it will take concrete steps to address the issue of sexual misconduct. As the industry continues to reckon with its past and present, it faces a critical moment in its history.