France's annual movie awards ceremony took a somber turn Friday with a standing ovation for actress Judith Godrèche who spoke out against sexual violence in the film industry, reports FRANCE 24.
"Why accept that this art that we love so much, this art that unites us, be used as a cover for illicit trafficking of young women?" Godrèche told the 49th César Awards ceremony.
Police opened an investigation earlier this month after Godrèche filed a complaint for sexual violence against French film director Benoit Jacquot, 77, with whom she had a relationship in the late 1980s when she was a minor.
Reuters could not reach Jacquot for comment. He has told Le Monde newspaper his first sexual relationship with Godrèche happened after her 15th birthday, the legal age of consent in France. Godrèche told French media she was 14.
In his interview with Le Monde, Jacquot, who is 25 years older than Godrèche, denied any violence towards her.
Leftist union CGT Spectacle held a protest outside the César venue.
"Judith Godrèche has had the courage to talk about her story ... about the sexual violence so many women have suffered in a professional environment," [the] CGT said.