Key points from the trial of Christophe Ruggia:

• Ruggia received a four-year sentence, two under house arrest and two suspended, for sexually abusing actress Adèle Haenel when she was a minor.
• The case represents a pivotal event in the French #MeToo movement, highlighting ongoing issues of abuse in the film industry.
• Haenel, now 35, was the first leading actor in France to publicly accuse the film industry of ignoring sexual misconduct.
• Ruggia has denied the allegations and plans to appeal the verdict.
• Numerous female cinema figures attended the court to show support for Haenel after the verdict was announced.

A Paris court has found filmmaker Christophe Ruggia guilty of sexually abusing actress Adèle Haenel when she was between 12 and 15 years old, during a trial that has been deemed a landmark moment for the #MeToo movement in the French cinema. The court sentenced Ruggia to a four-year term, with two of those years under house arrest using an electronic ankle bracelet and the remaining two years suspended, as reported by AP News.

Haenel, who achieved fame for her roles in films such as Portrait of a Lady on Fire, publicly accused Ruggia in 2019, asserting that he repeatedly engaged in inappropriate actions toward her, starting when they worked together on the film Les Diables in the early 2000s. Testifying during the trial, she recounted how Ruggia isolated her from family and friends and exerted control over her throughout their interactions, often resulting in feelings of guilt and despair, including suicidal thoughts, as highlighted by The New York Times.

Despite Ruggia’s claims of innocence, the court found him to have abused his position of authority. The judge stated, “You took advantage of the influence you had on the young actress Adèle Haenel,” a sentiment echoed in multiple court testimonies from crew members describing his conduct as “invasive” and “misplaced.” Following the ruling, Ruggia's legal representation announced plans to appeal, as discussed by Le Monde.

The verdict drew significant attention, demonstrating the heightened focus on issues of sexual misconduct in France, where the reaction to the #MeToo movement has been notably muted compared to other countries. Many other prominent female figures in the French film industry attended the trial to demonstrate solidarity with Haenel, affirming the need for continued dialogue and change within the sector, as noted by The Guardian.

For more details on this case and its implications, visit CNN.