“Destructive influence”, violence… Isild Le Besco confides for the first time about her toxic relationship with Benoît Jacquot

L'actrice française Isild Le Besco en 2010. JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT – EPA/KEYSTONE/MAXPPP

L'actrice Isild Le Besco s'est livrée pour la première fois sur sa relation avec le cinéaste Benoît Jacquot, qu'elle avait déjà accusé de "violences psychologiques et physiques".

She was revealed in 1999 by the film Sade, by Benoît Jacquot. Isild Le Besco, then aged 16, began a relationship with the then 52-year-old filmmaker after filming this film. 

Benoît Jacquot is today the target of a complaint from Judith Godrèche for "violent rape of a minor under 15 years old". Isild Le Besco recognized in Le Monde "psychological or physical violence" from the filmmaker, without saying more until the interview this Wednesday February 21, 2024 given to Parisien .

"A loss of self"

"On the surface, it was a relationship nourishing beautiful films and, for me, the discovery of a world. But inside, it was also a destructive influence, a loss of self. Psychological violence, especially", denounced actress Isild Le Besco to a colleague from the Parisien.

The actress also testified that the filmmaker was constantly saying that (she) was fat. ;quot; and reported "physical violence, sometimes, out of anger".

"Yes, we must denounce"

Isild Le Besco says that her 5-year relationship with Benoît Jacquot "wasted a large part of her life". "Yes, we need to talk. Yes, we must denounce. But we must also respect the rhythm of the victims. It's also a question of consent. Those who do not want to speak today will perhaps do so tomorrow", she stressed in Le Parisien.< /em>