French actress Adele Haenel faces director Ruggia in her sexual assault trial

French actress Adele Haenel, who accused a film director of sexually assaulting her when she was a child, shouted at him, “Shut up,” before leaving in the middle of his trial.

Christophe Ruggia, 59, was speaking in his defense at the time, saying he had only tried to “protect” Haenel during the early days of her fame.

The French public prosecutor requested house arrest for two years for Rogia (59 years old), whom Haenel said assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was between 12 and 15 years old and he was in his late thirties.

Ruggia said the accusations of sexual harassment were “complete lies.”

He also accused Haenel of wanting revenge on him for not hiring her in any more roles after she starred in his 2002 film. Devils (Demons).

Haenel said she was controlled and manipulated by Ruggia as a child and no one protected her when she was “asked to do things in the name of art.”

She claims that Ruggia began molesting her during filming when she was 12 years old.

Haenel, who starred in the 2019 blockbuster Portrait of a Lady on Fire, publicly quit the French film industry last year due to what she said was “general complacency” toward sexual predators.

In 2019, she gave a lengthy and emotional interview with French outlet Mediapart, detailing what she called the “sexual harassment” she suffered at the hands of Ruggia.

She said she decided to speak out about her alleged abuse after watching the documentary Leaving Neverland, which explored singer Michael Jackson's relationships with children.

“It made me see that I had been clinging to the rogia version for so long, and that it was all a love story,” she said, adding that it made her understand the mechanics of “control and fascination.”

Haenel said that on set, Ruggia was constantly touching her, kissing her on the cheek, putting his hands on her hips and calling her “sweetie” and “sweetheart,” and that he gradually isolated her from her family, telling her parents not to do so. Come to the filming location to avoid distraction.

Actors and other technicians on the set told Mediapart about the unhealthy atmosphere.

A summary of the charges reported by French media says Ruggia and Heinel continued to see each other every Saturday after filming for Les Diables wrapped, “under the guise of film lessons” during which Ruggia allegedly sexually touched and placed his hands on her. Her underwear.

Investigators said they found notes on Ruggia's computer in which he wrote about “12-year-old Heinel's lustfulness.”

When she eventually broke up with him, he continued to write her numerous letters, according to the indictment. She said that she then fell into a deep depression that lasted until she was 28 years old.

“When I was under his thumb, I felt dirty and wanted to die,” Heinel told investigators.

Ruggia admitted to making “mistakes” in his behavior towards Heinel.

He said: “I did not see that my admiration for her and the hopes I had for her might seem annoying at times, given her young age. If this is what happened… I ask her for forgiveness.” Statement in 2019.

At the trial, prosecutor Camille Buch said she had “no doubt” that the allegations were true, and said Ruggia's defense was “unlikely”. “He chose to sexually assault her. He had full conscience as an adult man to decide to act differently.”

Haenel was the first prominent French actor to accuse the French film industry of turning a blind eye to sexual assault.

Since then, the actor Gerard Depardieu is accused of rape He is scheduled to stand trial next year. Film directors Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon were as well Accused of rape and sexual crimes By actress Judith Goodrich.

Haenel's lawyers sought compensation of €30,000 (£24,800) for moral damages and €31,000 to cover the cost of her psychiatrist's fees.

The ruling is expected on February 3.