While Claude Lelouch's new film,
Love is better than life
, is due out in theaters this Wednesday, January 19, the director was advised to cut the scenes where Ary Abittan appears, indicted for rape on November 2 last.
Advice that Claude Lelouch refuses to hear with regard to the presumption of innocence and his friendship for the comedian.
Read alsoActor Ary Abittan indicted for rape
“
My friends can count on me when they are going badly.
At the moment, what Ary is going through is a real nightmare,”
assures Claude Lelouch to our colleagues from
Parisian
, adding that the actor is “
very unhappy with what is happening to him
”.
“
Obviously, the decision-makers told us: 'We have to change'.
I was told: ''TV no longer buys films with Ary Abittan''.
You realize?
I'm not going to listen to those things.
In addition, I am a faithful friend, ”
he confides again.
Read alsoIndicted for rape, Ary Abittan ousted from the series he was shooting for M6
In this feature film, Ary Abittan only plays a secondary role, that of an ex-prisoner who tries to find a companion for his former fellow prisoner played by Gérard Darmon.
To do this, he joins Philippe (Philippe Lellouche) to contact an escort agency, whose role of boss is played by Sandrine Bonnaire.
The character of Ary Abittan appears in the film as a seducer, who declares his love to his banker and says that in the past
"he would flirt with cleaning women in rich neighborhoods",
with the aim of robbing opulent apartments.
“If he screwed up, he has to be punished.
But friendship is a word that has meaning.
Claude Lelouch
Claude Lelouch had already reacted to the accusations made against his friend Ary Abittan in the columns of
Paris Match
last December.
“I would like to believe that this is a story that has gone wrong, but I will side with the decision of justice. She will tell the truth. It is a fundamental value of our democracy. You just have to give it the means, the time. But I can't and don't want to judge without proof. So I let justice be done, ”
he assured, already affirming that he had no intention of cutting the scenes where Ary Abittan appears. “
I believe in justice. For now, the presumption of innocence must come into play. If he screwed up, he should be punished. But friendship is a word that has a meaning
“, insists the 84-year-old director.
.
The instruction is taking its course
The actor was placed in police custody for 48 hours following a rape complaint filed on October 30 by a 23-year-old young woman, with whom he had been having an affair since September, reports Le
Parisien
.
On November 2, Ary Abittan was indicted for rape and placed under judicial supervision for facts that allegedly happened in his Parisian apartment in the 8th arrondissement, near the Champs-Élysées.
The complainant accuses him in particular of having imposed sexual practices on her.
What the 47-year-old actor disputes.
Read alsoClaude Lelouch says more about what could be his "
last film
"
In this case, Ary Abittan receives the support of his relatives, like his producer Gilbert Coullier. The
Closer
site nevertheless reports that the producer is claiming from Ary Abittan "
several million euros in lost earnings
" following the removal of the one-man-show
For real
, which was to be held over fifty performances. What Coullier refutes:
“I was shocked by this article. I'm not asking Ary Abittan for a penny. I'm here to help and certainly not take advantage of the circumstances. The shows are postponed without deadline for the moment. I'm waiting to find out when we can resume.
»
To read alsoAry Abittan indicted for rape: the release of “
What have we all done to God?
» maintained in February
The same goes for host and producer Arthur, who refuses to "
let go
" of his friend.
Indeed, during the recording of the tenth anniversary of his flagship show
Friday, everything is permitted
, the host cited all those who contributed directly or indirectly to the success of the show, including Florence Foresti, Claudia Tagbo, Gad Elmaleh and Ary Abittan, the latter not being present that evening.
The actor was also absent during the day of promotion of the film
What have we all done to God?
which will be released on April 6, in which he plays one of the sons-in-law of Christian Clavier and Chantal Lauby.
He will also be absent from the Enfoirés tour, which marks a stop in Montpellier this weekend.