ANOTHER ONE

French Director Luc Besson Accused of Drugging, Raping Actress

The allegations surfaced even as Cannes Film Festival wrapped up with words of support for the #MeToo movement.

As the closing ceremony of Cannes wrapped up on Saturday with words of condemnation for disgraced American movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, French director Luc Besson was faced with his own allegations of sexual assault. An unidentified 27-year-old actress has filed a complaint with French police alleging that the renowned director laced her tea with drugs and then sexually abused her while she was passed out at a Paris hotel, Europe 1 first reported. Besson, known for such films as The Fifth Element and Nikita, has acknowledged being in touch with the actress but denied abusing her. The accusations against him came as Italian star Asia Argento delivered a powerful speech at Cannes, warning that “there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women.” “In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes. I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground. I want to make a prediction: Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here ever again,” Argento told the audience.