Director Luc Besson Accused of Raping a French Actress

The French authorities have opened an investigation into Luc Besson after the new report surfaced.

Luc Besson in Berlin
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Image via Getty/Stephane Cardinale - Corbis

Luc Besson in Berlin

A 27-year-old French actress came forward with rape accusations against Luc Besson on Friday morning. French authorities have since opened an investigation into the 59-year-old French director after the new report from Europe 1 surfaced. The actress—who has purportedly known Besson for years—has remained anonymous.

The actress said that while she and Besson were meeting at the luxury hotel Le Bristol in Paris, the director put something in her tea. She later felt out of it and lost consciousness. When she woke up, she alleged that he was touching and penetrating her. She also reported that the director left the hotel before her and left her with a number of outstanding bills. Afterwards, she went to a friend's house to feel more secure.

Besson’s lawyer, Thierry Marembert told The Hollywood Reporter on Saturday, “Mr. Besson fell from his chair when he learned of these accusations, which he flatly denies.”

Besson is a world-renowned actor who has won a BAFTA award and earned 10 César nominations. He directed 1997's The Fifth Element, 2014's Lucy, and 2017's Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, and produced the Taken trilogy. He also serves as the CEO of France-based production and distribution company EuropaCorp.

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