A French court on Monday found French film director Christophe Ruggia guilty of sexually abusing actress Adèle Haenel when she was underage, in one of the first #MeToo cases to emerge from French cinema.

The actress first accused the filmmaker of sexual harassment in 2019 after they worked together on 2002's “The Devils" when she was a teenager

The 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' actress accused Ruggia of sexually assaulting and molesting her over the course of three years, starting when she was 12.

French film director Christophe Ruggia arrives for the verdict in his trial for allegedly sexually abusing actress Adele Haenel on set while she was an adolescent, at the criminal court in Paris, France, February 3, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor

Adèle Haenel was the first prominent French actor to accuse the French film industry of turning a blind eye to sexual assault A French film director has been found guilty of sexually assaulting actor Adèle Haenel when she was underage.

French filmmaker Christophe Ruggia, who was accused in 2019 by “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” actor Adele Haenel of having sexually abused her when she was a minor, was found guilty of sexual assault by a Paris court.