French actor Judith Godreche files rape complaint against director Benoit Jacquot

French actor Judith Godreche has filed a complaint against populardirector Benoit Jacquot for raping her while they were in a relationship together. The said episode dates back tothe time Judith was 14 andBenoit25 years her senior.

Judith accused Benoit of rape

Now 51, Judith Gdreche lodged a formal complaint with the Juvenile Protection Brigade (BPM) of police for suspected rape of a minor by a person in a position of authority, reported news agency AFP.

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Judith accused Benoit, who is now 77, of rape in January on social media.In her onlineposts, she wrote that he manipulated her into a relationship as a vulnerable underage actor.

The relationship began in the spring of 1986, when Judith Godreche was 14, and ended in the early 1990s.

Benoit Jacquot has denied these allegations. He is one of France’s prominent filmmakers, whose career spans five decades.

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Thecrime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, although the statute of limitations has "probably" expired in the case, said publication house Le Monde in its report.

She was in his grip for six years, Judith claims

Judith Godreche spoke to Le Monde at length about her relationship with Benoit Jacquot, recounting how he first had sex with her. She was quoted by the publication as saying, "He took my hand and led me upstairs, telling me to lie down on his bed. I have no memory of being kissed. It's as if there was no tenderness at all."

Judith Godreche said she remained "in his grip" for six years. She worked with the filmmaker in two of his films – Les Mendiants (The Beggars) in 1988 and La Desenchantee (The Disenchanted) in 1990.

She decided to speak out after discovering him boasting about their relationship being a "transgression", and cinema providing a "cover" for it, in a 2011 documentary.

(With inputs from agencies)