French Filmmaker Jacques Doillon Designated as 'Témoin Assisté' in Rape Allegations

The 80-year-old director faces multiple accusations of sexual violence but avoids formal indictment after judicial review.

Jacques Doillon, a prominent French filmmaker, was questioned by judges on December 6, 2024, regarding multiple rape allegations and placed under the status of 'témoin assisté,' a designation less severe than formal indictment.
The allegations include claims from actress Judith Godrèche and three others, with some accusations involving incidents dating back decades, many of which are now legally prescribed.
Joe Rohanne, a non-binary individual and former partner of Doillon, has accused him of rape, physical abuse, and psychological violence between 2009 and 2012 in France and Belgium, which remain within the statute of limitations.
Doillon's lawyer presented evidence, including emails, to challenge the credibility of the accusers and criticized what she described as premature media coverage shaping public perception before judicial proceedings.
Judith Godrèche, a leading voice in France's #MeToo movement, has also been accused of defamation by Doillon for a social media post related to her allegations.