The parliamentary inquiry commission, which has been investigating sexual misconduct in the French film industry, is expected to release its findings in April after spending six months interviewing key figures from the sector.

Four prominent male actors, including Oscar winner Jean Dujardin and esteemed stars Jean-Paul Rouve, Gilles Lellouche, and Pio Marmaï, participated in a hearing before the commission focusing on the #MeToo movement and their experiences. The hearing was held privately, but a transcript was made available to the public.

Although these actors admit to a lack of awareness of the extent of misconduct experienced by their female colleagues, they acknowledged that the #MeToo movement has led to a collective awareness and provided an opportunity for introspection on their behavior and its potential impact.

The inquiry has been comprehensive, including testimonies from various actors and industry figures such as director Christophe Ruggia, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting actress Adèle Haenel. This has brought about a deep reflection within the industry.

Actors recognize the essential role of intimacy coordinators in ensuring a safe working environment, especially during sex scenes. They have also reflected on the need for continued vigilance and action to address past grievances and create a safer future for all actors.

The commission, led by Greens lawmaker Sandrine Rousseau, aims to not only document these experiences and challenges but to propose tools and measures to safeguard the film industry against sexual violence. It will present its conclusions in April, with the potential to significantly impact the industry’s standards and practices.