On May 2, MPs unanimously adopted the proposed resolution initiated by environmentalist Francesca Pasquini. Judith Godrèche, present in the stands, initiated the creation of this commission. Heard on March 14, 2024 by the children’s rights and women’s rights delegations of the National Assembly, the actress triggered the MeToo movement in French cinema by recounting the beginnings of her career in the 1980s.
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“ It’s time to stop rolling out the red carpet for abusers “: the Assembly approved Thursday, May 2, the creation of a commission of inquiry into “ abuse and violence » in cinema, audiovisual, performing arts, fashion and advertising, giving substance to a request from actress Judith Godrèche. Since the release of a series on Arte which relates its beginnings in the cinema world in the 1980s, it has denounced the systems of domination and influence in cinema. A preliminary investigation was also opened in Paris concerning the two directors Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon following the filing of a complaint by Judith Godrèche. Both of them, through their respective lawyers, refuted the accusations against them.
Read alsoCinema: French actress Judith Godrèche denounces the “control” of director Benoît Jacquot
Visibly very moved, the actress who has become in recent months one of the leading figures in the fight against sexual violence against minors had demanded at the 2024 Césars in front of her peers a freedom of speech to denounce the silence in the face of violence, the lack of protection of minors. A fight that she then continued Senate then to theNational Assembly to demand the creation of a commission of inquiry, taking the example of that which worked at the Palais Bourbon on the world of sport. “ Are we going to remain silent? I’m counting on you, I’m counting on you to protect children, no longer deliver them to the cinema without any protection “, she told the deputies.
✅🏛️ The National Assembly voted to create a commission of inquiry relating to “violence committed in the cinema, audiovisual, performing arts, fashion and advertising sectors”, a transpartisan initiative and carried by @FMPasquini. #DirectAN pic.twitter.com/PpoYujGHDj
— LCP (@LCP) May 2, 2024
“ This commission must be carried out successfully. It was extremely moving to hear these words in a place where laws are made, while there is an absence of law on filming », reacted Judith Godrèche to AFP after the vote of the deputies.
The commission of inquiry must “ assess the situation of minors working in the cinema, audiovisual, performing arts, fashion and advertising sectors »and will be extended to adult victims. It must « identify the mechanisms and failures that allow these possible abuses and violence “, ” establish the responsibilities of each actor in this matter ” And ” make recommendations on the responses to be made “. She must be trained on May 13, and begin her auditions on May 20, according to Francesca Pasquini. She should deliver her findings in six months.
The MP welcomed the vote of her counterparts, saying she was eager for the committee to get to work and “ take action “. “ It’s time to stop rolling out the red carpet for abusers “, did she say.
“ Dear Judith, if others have not heard you, we have heard you, we MPs. So today we’re going to do better than listen to you. We will act because it is urgent “, for her part affirmed MP Perrine Goulet (MoDem), president of the Delegation for Children’s Rights.
The creation of the commission of inquiry into “abuses and violence” in cinema, audiovisual, performing arts, fashion and advertising comes the day after the publication of a book by actress Isild Le Besco, where she talks at length about her relationship with Benoît Jacquot, which began when she was 16 years old. If she accuses him of having raped her, she says she is not ready to file a complaint against him.
Also listenA commission of inquiry into the situation of minors in the cinema industry