The release of the film “CE2”, the latest film by Jacques Doillon accused of sexual violence by several actresses, including Judith Godrèche, is scheduled for March 27, the producer confirmed.
But actress Nora Hamzawi, who plays one of the main roles, is opposed to its theatrical release.
“I do not support this decision which, in my opinion, represents contempt for women’s voices,” she commented on Instagram.
And added: “What is happening in the cinema industry, and which I hope extends to other environments, is essential and important.
This is the priority thing to support today.
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Alongside director Benoît Jacquot, Jacques Doillon is targeted in an investigation for "rape of a minor under 15 years old by a person in authority, rape, violence by a partner, and sexual assault on a minor over 15 years old by a person in authority", at following a complaint from Judith Godrèche, who filmed with him for “The 15-year-old girl”, released in 1989.
And in the columns of Le Monde, two other actresses accuse the director.
Anna Mouglalis mentions an non-consensual kiss, while Isild le Besco reports “psychological or physical violence”.
The latter also claims to have been excluded from a filming after refusing to have sexual relations with Jacques Doillon.
“An invitation to awareness”
This film “CE2” brings together Nora Hamzawi and Alexis Manenti in the cast.
It tells the story of a CE2 student harassed by two classmates.
For producer Bruno Pesery, it is important that the decision to release the feature film “is not received as an expression of deafness or indifference with regard to the accusations made against its author: they are serious, we took stock of this from the first hour,” he wrote in a press release, considering that it is not however possible to adapt a release “to a judicial calendar”.
The production house, Arena Films, justifies its choice by the teamwork which enabled the film to see the light of day, "whether it be actors, technicians, service providers, producers, distributors, press officers or operators”.
It is “an invitation to awareness, to dialogue and vigilance”, underlined the producer, insisting on the “nearly forty years” separating the production of the film from the facts of which Jacques Doillon is accused.