In a powerful testimony before the parliamentary commission on violence in cultural sectors, actress Sara Forestier recounted harrowing experiences that highlight the systemic issues of sexual and moral violence in the film industry. Forestier, now 38, detailed her early encounters in the industry, including a shocking incident at just 13 years old, where she was asked to remove her panties for a short film casting. "I was told to twirl my panties so they would land in an actor's plate. I refused and left," she stated, illustrating the troubling pressures young actresses face.
Forestier's experiences did not end there. At 15, while filming L'Esquive, she was subjected to lewd remarks from a crew member, further emphasizing the pervasive nature of harassment in the industry. "I want to make love to you from behind," he allegedly told her, a statement that underscores the inappropriate conduct that often goes unchecked on film sets.
Her testimony took a darker turn when she described a violent incident in 2017 during the filming of Bonhomme. Forestier accused actor Nicolas Duvauchelle of slapping her on set, a claim he denies. The incident occurred shortly after she had been hospitalized for a serious internal hemorrhage related to an ectopic pregnancy. "I had just left the hospital and decided to leave the film after this incident," Forestier explained. An investigation was opened by the Paris prosecutor's office in December 2024, following her complaint filed in March 2023.
During her testimony on November 7, 2024, Forestier expressed her disbelief at the lack of collective action within the film industry to address these issues. "The film industry has not taken these questions seriously," she lamented. This sentiment echoed the findings of the parliamentary commission, which has been investigating violence in the cultural sectors for five months, conducting 90 auditions and hearing from over 400 individuals.
The commission, led by ecologist Sandrine Rousseau, released a comprehensive report on April 9, 2025, detailing the systemic, endemic, and persistent nature of moral, sexist, and sexual violence in the cultural world. The report, spanning 279 pages, includes 86 recommendations aimed at improving protections for minors and regulating their portrayal in media to prevent sexualization.
Rousseau's report pointed out that the #MeToo movement, which gained momentum in 2017, has highlighted the urgent need for reform, especially following high-profile accusations against directors like Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon. The report calls for a fundamental change in how the industry operates, labeling it a "machine to crush talents."
Forestier's struggle has not only been about seeking justice for her experiences but also about the psychological toll they have taken on her life. "They managed to silence me. Psychologically, it was like a heavy blow. I was literally on my knees in my living room, crying," she shared, revealing the depths of her despair following the incident and the subsequent industry backlash.
As she faced mounting debts and the inability to pay her rent, Forestier noted how the industry's response to her allegations further isolated her. "I survived as best as I could," she recounted, reflecting on the challenges she faced in continuing her career amidst such turmoil.
Despite the trauma, Forestier has returned to acting, but she admits that her trust in film crews has been severely damaged. "I had completely lost confidence in film teams. I had to continue my job to make a living, but I was always on the defensive," she explained. This ongoing struggle to regain her footing in the industry has been compounded by her experiences of harassment and violence.
In a poignant moment during her testimony, Forestier expressed her desire for accountability rather than public humiliation for her alleged aggressor. "I want him to go to prison because assaulting a woman when she leaves the hospital is a crime," she stated, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Nicolas Duvauchelle has publicly denied the allegations, labeling Forestier as a "mythomaniac" and a "false victim" on social media. In response, Forestier has indicated her intention to file a defamation suit against him, stating, "I won’t let anything slide."
The report from the parliamentary commission is a crucial step toward addressing the issues of violence in the cultural sectors, as it calls for systemic changes to protect those who have been victimized and to create a safer environment for future generations of artists. The findings highlight the need for the industry to confront its past and to take meaningful action to prevent such abuses from occurring in the future.
As the conversation around these issues continues to evolve, Forestier's brave testimony serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking out against injustice and the need for solidarity within the industry. "I regret that professionals in this industry are not capable of coming together to hold discussions on violence," she remarked, underscoring the urgency for collective action to combat these pervasive issues.
