French Actress Isild Le Besco Accuses Filmmaker Benoit Jacquot of Rape in Autobiography

French actress Isild Le Besco has accused filmmaker Benoit Jacquot of raping her as a teenager in her recently published autobiography titled "Dire vrai" ("Telling the Truth"). Le Besco, who acted in Jacquot's 2000 film "Sade" when she was 16 years old, described their relationship as including "psychological and physical violence."

In the book, Le Besco writes that Jacquot had a "destructive hold" over her during that time. She recounts the alleged rape, stating that Jacquot's "rape was also incestuous." However, the actress says she is not ready to file a legal complaint against the filmmaker.

Jacquot has denied any physical violence against Le Besco. The director is already under judicial investigation following separate accusations from actress Judith Godrèche, who has accused Jacquot of raping her when she was 14 years old and he was 25 years her senior.

Le Besco's lawyer had previously indicated that the actress was considering filing a legal complaint against Jacquot. However, in "Dire vrai," Le Besco expresses her reluctance to confront "those antiquated institutions, designed and governed by men," finding it already challenging to write about and confront her troubles.

Why this matters: Le Besco's accusations come at a time when the French cinema industry is facing increased scrutiny over allegations of sexual abuse and the grooming of underage actresses. The allegations against prominent figures like Jacquot and actor Gerard Depardieu, who will be tried in October over sexual assault charges, have sparked a broader conversation about the need for accountability and change within the industry.

The actress's decision not to pursue legal action against Jacquot highlights the challenges and personal struggles faced by survivors of sexual violence in confronting their alleged abusers and navigating the legal system. "I don't want to confront those antiquated institutions again," Le Besco writes in her book, emphasizing the emotional toll of reliving traumatic experiences and the perceived barriers to seeking justice.

Key Takeaways

• French actress Isild Le Besco accuses director Benoit Jacquot of raping her as a teenager.
• Jacquot denies physical violence, but faces separate rape allegations from actress Judith Godrèche.
• Le Besco is reluctant to file a legal complaint, citing challenges of confronting "antiquated institutions."
• Allegations against Jacquot and actor Gerard Depardieu spark broader conversation on accountability.
• Le Besco's decision highlights challenges survivors face in seeking justice for sexual violence.