Culture
11 Jul 18

Second Woman Accuses Luc Besson Of Sexual Assault

An anonymous female casting director is claiming that the French film director sexually assaulted her and subjected her to demands for sexual favours, according to reports in the French press.

Besson, who was accused of rape back in May, is one of the most powerful film directors and producers in the French film industry. He directed a string of hits including 'The Fifth Element', 'Leon', and 'Subway'.
The 49-year-old woman wrote to French authorities with her allegations. "I was both a witness and a victim,” she's being reported as stating, claiming that she was assaulted by Besson “every time I took the lift with him”.
Besson's lawyer Thierry Marembert has dismissed the claims as being “fantasist accusations”.
He added that the director "categorically denies any type of inappropriate or reprehensible behavior" and “is reserving his answers for the investigators so that his innocence can be shown".
A 27-year-old actress, who was reportedly in an on/off relationship with the director, claimed back in May that she was raped by the director. She also said that she felt pressurized into having sex with him in order to not be fired from his movies. Police are now investigating her claim.
Two other women have also claimed that Besson “behaved inappropriately” towards them, with one of them claiming she had to escape from his office on her hands and knees.