French Movie Director Benoît Jacquot Charged with Rape of Actresses

The renowned French film director, Benoît Jacquot, is facing charges of rape against two actresses, Julia Roy and Isild Le Besco, as announced by the Paris prosecutor’s office on Wednesday.

At 77 years old, Jacquot is one of two directors who have recently been accused in the #MeToo movement, which has sent shockwaves through France's movie industry. The allegations stem from a claim by actress Judith Godrèche, who revealed that Jacquot had raped her during an abusive relationship that commenced when she was 14 and he was 39.

Public Outcry

Following Ms. Godrèche’s revelations, both Ms. Roy, 34, and Ms. Le Besco, 41, have come forward with their own allegations against Jacquot. They have accused him of subjecting them to abusive relationships and sexually abusing them when they were younger actresses starring in his films.

Ms. Le Besco disclosed that Jacquot had raped her between the ages of 16 and 25, while Ms. Roy, who appeared in some of his films from 2016 to 2021, has accused him of sexual and physical abuse.