A French court found French film director Christophe Ruggia guilty of sexually abusing actress Adèle Haenel when she was underage, marking one of the significant #MeToo cases to emerge from French cinema.
On February 3, 2025, the court sentenced Ruggia to four years, with two years suspended, and ordered him to serve two years under house arrest with an electronic ankle bracelet. This decision stemmed from accusations made by Haenel, who claimed Ruggia had repeatedly touched her inappropriately after they first met on the set of the 2002 film "The Devils" when she was just 12 years old and Ruggia was 36.
Ruggia has persistently denied the allegations. His lawyer, Fanny Colin, stated to reporters, "He maintains his innocence and will appeal the decision.” Haenel's allegations surfaced publicly during 2019, at which time she detailed how Ruggia exercised undue control over her, isoliting her from family and coworkers.
During the trial's proceedings, various notable figures from the French cinema were present, including actress Judith Godrèche and director Céline Sciamma. Godrèche, who is recognized as one of the prominent figures of the French #MeToo movement, emotionally embraced Haenel after the verdict was announced.
Adèle Haenel, now 35 years old and known for her powerful performances, especially in "Portrait of a Lady On Fire," quit the film industry entirely after expressing her frustration with the lack of progress against sexual abuse within it. She stated, "I quit the film industry...complacency concerning sexual predators," highlighting her disillusionment with the industry's response to her claims and others.
Haenel alleged Ruggia abused her from the age of 12 to 15, detailing experiences of regular inappropriate touching. She mentioned instances where she visited Ruggia’s home after filming sessions, during which he made her uncomfortable by engaging in unwanted physical contact. This affected her schoolwork and led to significant emotional distress, including suicidal thoughts.
Ruggia's case is not isolated, as the French film industry has seen other alleged instances of inappropriate behavior. Notably, actor Gérard Depardieu faces charges for allegedly sexually assaulting two women on a film set, with judicial proceedings set for the upcoming March.
The verdict for Ruggia has intensified discussions surrounding sexual misconduct within the film sector and the broader #MeToo movement. Haenel's initial decision to speak out came at a time when France had not fully embraced such accusations, making her public denunciation particularly bold.
With such prominent figures attending the trial and showing their support for Haenel, the case is reflective of changing attitudes toward sexual harassment and abuse allegations. While the French #MeToo movement has faced challenges, including criticisms for being less impactful than its American counterpart, the involvement of influential voices could signal potential shifts within the industry.
Ruggia was ordered to pay €35,000 to Haenel as part of his sentencing. His legal team is preparing for appeal, attempting to contest both the conviction and the imposed sanctions. Nevertheless, this groundbreaking case is poised to leave lasting impacts on perceptions and treatment of abuse allegations within the French cinema field.