French director Benoît Jacquot accused of rape

According to a report by Le Monde, French prosecutors have requested that director Benoît Jacquot be charged with rape and sexual assault of several actresses.

Jacquot, 77, was detained for questioning on Monday after film director and actress Judith Godrèche filed a complaint alleging that Jacquot raped her during a relationship that began when she was 14. The relationship lasted several years, said Godrèche, who is now 52. Godrèche first went public with her accusations in an investigation published by Le Monde in February 2024.

Le Besco, now 41, followed up Godrèche’s complaint with her own, alleging that Jacquot raped her during a relationship that also began when she was a minor. Julia Roy, now 34, also accused Jacquot of sexual assault; Jacquot has denied all accusations.

Prosecutors are now seeking to charge Jacquot with crimes against Le Besco and Roy, but not Godrèche.

In addition to her complaint against Jacquot for “predation” and “rape of a minor under the age of 15 committed by a person in a position of authority,” Godrèche filed another complaint against “La fille de 15 ans” director Jacques Doillon. Godrèche claims that Doillon raped her twice when she was 15 (via Variety).

Le Besco alleges that Doillon sexually assaulted her on a film set when she was 15. Doillon has also been accused of forcibly kissing Anna Mouglalis, another actress; Mouglalis claims the forced kiss took place in 2011. Doillon has denied all allegations. Doillon was held for questioning for more than 24 hours before being released “on medical grounds”.

Paris prosecutors plan to charge Jacquot with “rape, sexual assault and violence” against Roy, Le Monde reports; the alleged crimes occurred between 2013 and 2018. Prosecutors additionally plan to charge Jacquot with “rape of a minor by a person in a position of authority” and “rape by a partner” against Le Besco; the alleged crimes occurred between 1998 and 2000, and again in 2007.

Le Besco is the younger sister of “Mon Roi” director Maïwenn, who recently directed Johnny Depp in “Jeanne du Barry.” Maïwenn became outspoken against the #MeToo movement after her ex-husband, “Léon the Professional” director Luc Besson, was accused of rape. Maïwenn married Besson in 1992; she was 16 when they wed, after Besson had known her for four years. Last year, Besson was cleared of rape charges stemming from 2018 accusations made by actress Sand Van Roy.

Godrèche presented the #MeToo short film “Sadly Universal” at the opening ceremony of the Un Certain Regard festival in Cannes 2024.