Director faces trial in Haenel assault case that ignited France’s #MeToo movement

French actor Adele Haenel arrives at the criminal court in Paris to attend the opening of the trial of film director Christophe Ruggia for allegedly sexually abusing her on set while she was a teenager, 9 December 2024. © Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

The director accused of sexually assaulting French actor Adele Haenel when she was a minor went on trial in Paris on Monday. Haenel’s accusations sparked a #MeToo movement in French cinema, with other actors coming forward.

Director Christophe Ruggia is accused of sexually assaulting Haenel in the early 2000s when she was under 15 and he was in his mid to late 30s.