French actress, Judith Godrèche has filed an official rape complaint against director Benoit Jacqout after claiming they were in a relationship when she was just 14 and he was 39
Godrèche, 51, on Tuesday, February 6, lodged the formal complaint of alleged rape of a minor by a person in a position of authority.
The Paris prosecutor’s office announced a preliminary investigation into the accusations had been opened the following day.
The French police’s specialist unit – Juvenile Protection Brigade (BPM) – will investigate multiple accusations, including domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and rape of a minor by a person in a position of authority.
A potential offender could face up to 20 years behind bars for the crimes levied against Jacquot.
While the incidents are said to have occurred between 1986 and 1992, it is possible that the statute of limitations may have expired.
Jacquot, who is one of France’s most prominent directors, denied the accusations when queried by Le Monde.
He told the publication that he was previously ‘very much in love’ with the actress, adding: ‘It was me, without irony, who was under her spell for six years.’
Their relationship began in the spring of 1986 when Godrèche was 14 and ended in the early 1990s.
The actress said Jaquot had groomed her and that it was she who was ‘in his grip’ for six years.
Godrèche starred in two of the directors films, ‘Les Mendiants’ (‘The Beggars’) in 1988 and ‘La Desenchantee’ (‘The Disenchanted’) in 1990.
The announcement comes as French cinema is reeling from claims that the world of arts has shrugged off sexism and sexual abuse for decades.
In January, Godrèche took to social media to accuse Jacquot of manipulating her into a relationship as a vulnerable underage actor.
In a statement quoted by Le Monde, Godrèche said: ‘It’s a story similar to stories of children who are kidnapped and grow up without seeing the world, and who can’t think ill of their captor.’
She decided to speak out after discovering him boasting about their relationship being a ‘transgression’, and cinema providing a ‘cover’ for it, in a 2011 TV documentary.
