French media reports indicate that prosecutors have requested rape charges against director Benoît Jacquot in response to allegations brought forth by actresses Isild Le Besco and Julia Roy.
Jacquot was taken into police custody on Monday for questioning regarding these assault allegations, as well as separate charges of assault filed by filmmaker Judith Godrèche. At present, prosecutors have not pursued charges related to Godrèche’s accusations. Jacquot has vehemently denied all allegations of misconduct.
Godrèche first lodged her complaint against Jacquot in February, shortly after publicly discussing her relationship with the director during the 1980s, which she asserts began when she was 14 years old and he was 40. Following Godrèche’s revelations, Roy filed a complaint alleging sexual assault, while Le Besco filed a complaint alleging rape of a minor over the age of 15. The reported incidents occurred between 1998 and 2007.
Jacquot was detained for questioning on Monday and subsequently permitted to return home on Tuesday, according to statements made by his lawyer to the media.
In a separate investigation, director Jacques Doillon was also taken into police custody on Monday following a complaint from Godrèche. She accuses Doillon of abusive behavior during the production of his 1989 film *The 15-Year-Old Girl*, in which she was cast. Doillon has denied all allegations, and prosecutors are yet to make a determination regarding his case.
The developments surrounding Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon underscore ongoing concerns and investigations within the French film industry regarding allegations of misconduct and abuse.
