French star Judith Godrich called on her country’s film industry to break the barriers of silence regarding sexual assault in its halls, during an “unprecedented” speech before the country’s most famous awards ceremony, according to a newspaper.The Guardian” British.
Goodrich, who says she was raped as a teenager by a famous director, received a standing ovation after she took the stage at the César Awards, which are considered the French version of the Oscars.
The famous star appeared visibly nervous, as she told the audience that she was speaking to them “face to face”, and urged them to speak out about abusive powerful men in the film world, even if it meant risking their careers.
What changed in Hollywood after the Harvey Weinstein scandal?
A new study that surveyed Hollywood entertainment industry professionals revealed that the culture of dealing with sexual harassment complaints has changed, but accountability procedures have not changed much.
She continued: “I know it is scary, it is about losing roles and losing work. I am also afraid, as I left school when I was 15 years old, and I do not have a high school diploma.. It will be complicated to be blacklisted for everything.. It will not be “It’s fun.”
She added: “Why do we allow this art, which we love so much, and which binds us together, to be used as a cover for the illegal trafficking of young girls? It is up to you… We can decide that men accused of rape should not be allowed to make decisions in cinema.”
She added: “The world is watching us. We are lucky enough to live in a country where freedom seems to exist. So, with the same moral force that we use to create, let us have the courage to say out loud what we know.”
Allowing Godrich to address the César Awards audience is “the first time the French film industry has taken such a stance” against sexual assault allegations, according to The Guardian.
Goodrich (51 years old) accused directors Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doyon of raping and assaulting her when she was a teenager.
Jacquot denied these accusations and claimed that all sexual relations were with the consent of the French star. Doyon also denied these accusations and described them as “lies.”
The MeToo movement, which began in 2017 when Hollywood director Harvey Weinstein was accused – and later convicted of sexual assault and rape – has made slow progress in France.
“He fired me hours later.” Vin Diesel’s former assistant accuses him of sexual assault
The star of the famous “Fast and Furious” movie series, Vin Diesel, one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood, joined the list of celebrities accused of sexual assault, after a former assistant filed a lawsuit against him related to an incident that occurred in 2010.
Women who come forward with stories of sexual assault from the past, including rape, often face an unfavorable reaction, according to the same newspaper.
In December, French President Emmanuel Macron defended the actor, Gerard Depardieu, who faces several allegations of sexual assault and one charge of rape, although the star denied the allegations.
In 2018, after the launch of the “Me Too” campaign across the Atlantic, 99 prominent French women – including cinema legend Catherine Deneuve – signed a letter accusing the campaign of intolerance and puritanism.
Strippers achieve a long-awaited “victory” in the United States
A group of strippers working at a Los Angeles bar is preparing to become the only organized group of strippers in the United States after their employer agreed to recognize their union, according to the Washington Post.
Actress Adele Haenel withdrew from the 2020 Cesar ceremony in protest after Roman Polanski, who is still wanted in the United States on charges of raping a 13-year-old girl, received the Best Director award.
Last year, a row erupted after the Cesar jury came up with an exclusively male nominations list for best director, while only one film directed by a woman was nominated for best picture.
In addition, Goodrich ended her speech by sending a message to the audience, saying: “You have to pay attention to the little girls. They hit the bottom of the pond, but they were able to come back and dream of a possible revolution,” amid warm applause from the audience present for the second time.
