Sexual violence in the world of cinema: Judith Godrèche calls for a commission of inquiry in the Senate

She was heard for almost two hours by the Senate women’s rights delegation on Thursday February 29. Once again, actress Judith Godrèche denounces the silence on sexual violence in the world of cinema. It’s urgent, she said. “Everyone knows that in the film industry, an attacker, disguised as a director, makes little girls suffer so that they really cry”, she declares. An unprecedented moment in the upper room, it is the first time that an artist has been auditioned. Since the complaints filed against filmmakers Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon, the affair has taken on a more political dimension.

The right and the left divided on the subject

A commission of inquiry against sexual and gender-based violence in the cinema industry is called for by the actress. A request supported and welcomed by feminist collectives. However, in the Senate, the actress’s hearing was not unanimous. On the right, some also see a red line. “We cannot withdraw his commitment. However, I wonder if it is up to the Senate to take up these subjects”, indicates Agnès Canayer, Republican senator from Seine-Maritime. But on the left, we completely refute this interpretation. For the moment, no one yet knows whether the actress’s proposals will be officially heard.