French actor-director Samuel Theis, known for his role in Justine Triet’s ‘Anatomy of a Fall’, has been embroiled in controversy as accusations of rape surfaced against him. The incident reportedly occurred during the production of Theis’ third film, ‘Je te jure’. The alleged assault took place following a gathering involving the cast and crew in July, as detailed by French newspaper Liberation. The crew member involved, alleging rape, resigned immediately afterward and subsequently filed a police complaint, as reported by Télérama.
In response to the allegations, Theis was removed from the film, though he remained engaged in directing remotely throughout the production. The producer, Caroline Bonmarchand, initiated an independent investigation following the incident. Theis’ lawyer, Marie Dose, mentioned that the sole investigation conducted was by the production team and emphasized that the comprehensive 300-page report concluded there were no elements qualifying the incident as a sexual assault. However, this stands in contrast to the official police report filed by the crew member.
Amidst the controversy, Theis’ acclaimed film ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ received recognition at the 2024 Golden Globes, winning Best Picture in the Non-English Language category and securing the Best Screenplay (Motion Picture) award. The film, a gripping courtroom drama, explores a writer accused of her husband’s murder. These accolades arrive amidst the ongoing investigation into the allegations against Theis, casting a shadow over his professional endeavors.
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