After the revelations of accusations of rape and violence against actor Sofiane Bennacer (Les Amandiers), cinemas have chosen to deprogram or supervise screenings. The distributor Ad Vitam sent a letter to the operators.
Several days after the publication of the revelations of Le Parisien and Liberation about Sofiane Bennacer, accused of rape and violence, reactions are multiplying.
Actor Sofiane Bennacer (Les Amandiers) indicted for rape and violence
One of the two producers of the film Les Amandiers by Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Patrick Sobelman (Agat Films), assured Friday at the microphone of France Inter, then in a press release broadcast this weekend (to be found in full below), that the production knew nothing of these accusations before hiring Sofiane Bennacer.
The production explains that they were first made aware of rumors, then, two days after the start of filming, of accusations, but “that [Sofiane Bennacer] had never been heard and that no investigation had been opened“. And to add: “We then inform the director. Highlighting the presumption of innocence, it does not plan to continue the film without this actor“.
Some cinemas then announced their decision to deprogram the film, or to supervise the projections. The Concorde based in La Roche sur Yon purely and simply cancels the film, while L’Ecran de St Denis temporarily stops its exploitation to organize a supervision of the screenings.
The cinema team L’Ecran de Saint Denis details its position: “In consultation with the president of the association, we have decided to temporarily remove the film from our programming. This is not a call for film censorship, we do not subscribe to this idea, but to temporize: We do not see the programming of a cinema and a film as a fortuitous act, but a choice of cultural activities within the framework of a public service mission.
However, this choice could not be made with all the elements necessary to take sides on the distribution of Les Amandiers, or how to contextualize it. Especially since, in our work, we try to offer films as a subject for reflection and debate, and in particular on issues around women’s rights..”
This is not a call for censorship of the film, we do not subscribe to this idea, but to temporize
And to add:Whether we like it or not, Les Amandiers has gone beyond simple exploitation to become an object of debate, at the crossroads of several questions: that of the inability in the cinema world to ensure that potentially toxic situations are neutralized, but also that of the role of a room to be an agora and not just a simple place of diffusion, which would be in an “artistic” neutrality with respect to the debates which shake our society. Cinemas must also be a “Safe Space” where people are informed of what they are going to see and in what context, including potentially controversial films, and where their sensitivities are respected.”
The film distributor Ad Vitam took the initiative of sending a letter to cinema operators. “We are well aware that the film is experiencing torment today following the articles that have appeared in the press in recent days. (…) We imagine that you are likely to be confronted with certain questions and reactions from your audience. You can of course surround the distribution of the film with any precaution that seems appropriate to you (discussion with the public, indication of the investigation in progress, etc.).
Les Amandiers is a collective work. (…) It would seem normal to us that this film could continue its life in theaters. But know that in the face of this situation, we understand and respect all the positions and decisions that you will take regarding the exploitation of the film in your room. This decision is up to each of you.Find the full press release on the Boxofficepro website.
Several newspapers have followed up on the case in recent days, including Le Monde, Télérama and Liberation. Liberation looked into the question of the presumption of innocence invoked by Valeria Bruni Tedeschi.
Sofiane Bennacer accused of rape and violence: Valeria Bruni Tedeschi speaks
Liberation asked a lawyer to find out if the production of the film could have terminated an actor’s contract on the basis of a complaint. “A dismissal for real cause is serious and possible.And to add:The concealment of the existence of a complaint of rape by a candidate constitutes a breach of the duty of loyalty and good faith. In a context of less social acceptance of sexual violence, it is also likely to harm the employer who could be suspected of indifference on this subject.“
Journalist Marine Turchi, who specializes in following up cases of sexual violence for Mediapart, also gave an update on the notion of “presumption of innocence“.”This fundamental judicial principle does not, however, prevent speech, the freedom to inform, or the implementation of precautionary measures.“, indicates Mediapart.
For the record, actor Sofiane Bennacer, currently playing Almond Trees by Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, has been indicted. This indictment for rape and violence against several ex-girlfriends dates back to last October. It was confirmed by the Mulhouse prosecution, to BFMTV.
He was placed under judicial supervision, with a ban on traveling to Strasbourg, Mulhouse, as well as to Île-de-France. Sofiane Bennacer denies these accusations and filed a complaint against the four complainants for defamation, specify our colleagues, reporting information from the Mulhouse prosecutor’s office.
As the BFMTV site reminds us, “the case began in 2021, after a rape complaint filed by one of his former companions. Since then, three other women have reported having suffered rape or violence from the actor, bringing the number of complainants to four. Sofiane Bennacer was indicted in the first three complaints, and was placed under the status of assisted witness for a fourth“.
After the article in Le Parisien earlier this week, new testimonies accused actor Sofiane Bennacer of “sexual and physical violence“. Two new victims implicate him for “sexual and physical violence”. They have decided not to file a complaint.