French film director Christophe Ruggia has been convicted of sexually assaulting actress Adèle Haenel during her adolescence, marking a significant milestone in France’s #MeToo movement.
The Paris court sentenced Ruggia to two years of house arrest with an electronic bracelet and an additional two-year suspended sentence. He was also ordered to pay €15,000 in damages to Haenel and €20,000 for her psychological therapy.
Haenel, now 35, accused Ruggia of inappropriate touching and harassment between 2001 and 2004, starting when she was 12 years old. The incidents occurred during and after the filming of “Les Diables” (“The Devils”), a film directed by Ruggia in which Haenel played a leading role. Ruggia, who was 36 then, denied the allegations and plans to appeal the verdict.
This case has been pivotal in highlighting issues of sexual abuse within the French film industry. Haenel’s public accusations in 2019 made her a prominent figure in France’s #MeToo movement. She has since withdrawn from the film industry, citing its complacency towards sexual misconduct.
Ruggia is known for directing films such as “Le Gone du Chaâba” (1997) and “Les Diables” (2002). Haenel has an acclaimed filmography, including “Water Lilies” (2007), “Love at First Fight” (2014), and “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019).
