Christophe Ruggia on trial for sexual assault: five years after Adèle Haenel’s testimony

Director Christophe Ruggia will appear before the Paris Criminal Court on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 December 2024 to answer charges of sexual assault of a minor, while Adèle Haenel, now 35, has been called to testify as a civil party. These accusations, publicly denounced by the actress in 2019, are at the heart of a trial that is taking place against the backdrop of the #MeToo wave that has shaken French cinema.

Adèle Haenel’s revelations
In November 2019, Adèle Haenel, an actress renowned for her roles in films such as Portrait de la jeune fille en feu, published a testimony in Mediapart, claiming to have been the victim of inappropriate behaviour by Christophe Ruggia when she was a minor, aged between 12 and 15, during the filming of Les Diables in 2001. The director, who was 36 at the time, is accused of touching and sexual harassment. Ruggia has always denied the facts and is demanding a right of reply, arguing that no act of violence occurred.

An ambiguous relationship built up during filming
Les Diables was shot between June and September 2001, when Adèle Haenel was just 11 years old. The film, about an autistic brother and sister, marked the beginning of a relationship that, according to the actress, intensified with inappropriate affectionate gestures such as kisses on the cheeks and hands on the hips. Adèle Haenel also recounts being isolated on the set, with her parents and nanny kept away from her, and the film crew instructed not to disturb her so as not to distract her.

Worrying encounters after filming
Christophe Ruggia’s behaviour was not confined to filming. Between 2001 and 2004, Adèle Haenel regularly went to his home for what was described as a ‘film apprenticeship’. These visits were described by the actress as moments marked by caresses on the thighs and attempts at sexual rapprochement, often interrupted by attempts at resistance on his part. She described these interactions as acts of manipulation, with Ruggia reacting with an air of shock to defuse her objections.

Witnesses and evidence
Testimonies from people close to Adèle Haenel, including her brother, confirmed that she appeared to be under pressure, describing the visits as ‘coercion’ and observing a change in her behaviour. Searches carried out during the investigation revealed disturbing evidence, such as Internet searches about Adèle Haenel and letters in which Ruggia expressed a love that was ‘sincere but heavy to bear’.

A trial to gain recognition for the victims
Adèle Haenel, who left the film industry in 2023 to denounce its hypocrisy towards abusers, is now fighting to ensure that her testimony serves as a wake-up call. Christophe Ruggia’s trial is much more than just a legal proceeding: it is a test of French society’s ability to protect minors and support victims of sexual assault. Ruggia faces up to 10 years in prison and a €150,000 fine, and this trial could mark a turning point for other victims who now feel ready to speak out.