This is one of the sexual assault cases that has been shaking the French film industry for months. Dominique Boutonnat, the powerful head of the CNC, the National Cinema Center, was sentenced to three years in prison – one of which was firm – by the Nanterre Criminal Court, near Paris. He was found guilty of sexual assault on his godson in August 2020. Although he continues to proclaim his innocence, he resigned from his position following the judgment.
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The prosecution had requested a three-year suspended prison sentence against Dominique Boutonnat. The court went further. One year closed and two suspended. The judges considered that the version of the president of the CNC was less credible than that of the complainant, his godson who accused him of sexual assault during a stay in Greece in August 2020.
Dominique Boutonnat, who denied these accusations in court during the trial, continues to proclaim his innocence. He announced his intention to appeal the judgment.
The case has caused an uproar in the film industry since Dominique Boutonnat was indicted in February 2021. The CGT-Spectacle union had called for her resignation, while the actress Judith Godrèche, who is committed to greater protection of children in the entertainment industry, had asked French senators for the withdrawal of the head of the CNC.
Having become the symbol of impunity in the seventh art, Dominique Boutonnat had until now refused to leave his position. Position became untenable once he was convicted. The CNC, which works to finance and promote the French film industry, will now have to find a new leader.
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