The chief executive of France’s top cinema institution, Dominique Boutonnat, had on Friday, given a three-year prison sentence, including a two years suspension, after being convicted of sexually assaulting his godchild (male) in 2020.
A statement released immediately after the ruling revealed that Boutonnat was stepping down as head of the National Centre of Cinema —CNC, and his role included supervising measures to repress sexual violence in the industry.
The Nanterre criminal court had said that Boutonnat will be allowed to serve his one-year jail term at home wearing an electronic bracelet.
Boutonnat, aged 54, was also banned from having any contact with the victim for three years.
In the court’s verdict, the court ruled that the “plaintiff’s version was more credible” than that of Boutonnat who, always exercised “a real influence” over his godson, according to the court.
What They’re Saying
In the statement released by the CNC, Boutonnat had reiterated “his innocence” and said he would appeal.
In light of Boutonnat’s godson has accusing him of trying to masturbate him during a holiday in Greece in 2020 when he was 19, he might just be trying to save his own head.
In court, the the godson described Boutonnat as “more than a godfather.”
“It’s someone using me to masturbate,” he was quoted to have said.
Boutonnat was placed under investigation in February 2021 but this punishment wasn’t a deterrent to him being reappointed by the government as head of the CNC in July 2022.
The trial is coming at a time when French cinema is reeling from a renewed #MeToo reckoning that has seen many known figures, including acting legend, Gerard Depardieu, accused of sexual abuse.
Activists have meanwhile, condemned Boutonnat’s leadership of the National Centre of Cinema (CNC).
