Philippe Lioret: portrait of the director accused by ten actresses of inappropriate gestures and forced kisses

“It’s like an abuse of power: he allows himself, because I am waiting for this role, to steal a kiss from me,” testifies actress Hélène Seuzaret in an investigation against Philippe Lioret published by Franceinfo on Tuesday April 9. The French director is accused of “abuse of power” and inappropriate behavior including stolen kisses. The facts reported each time took place in the context of role assignment, between 1990 and 2010. A period during which the filmmaker was in full rise.

Also read: Ten actresses accuse director Philippe Lioret of inappropriate behavior

The 68-year-old began his career in cinema as a sound engineer in 1982 on the set of a Jean-Pierre Mocky film. He will keep this role for nine years. In 1993, Philippe Lioret took on the dual role of screenwriter and director in his first film Tombés du ciel with Jean Rochefort. Until 2022, he will direct twelve feature films and one short film. In 2003 and 2004, her film L'Équipier allowed her to experience first recognition from her peers with the nomination of Émilie Dequenne for the César for best supporting actress, Philippe Torreton for the César for best actor and Nicola Piovani for the César for best original music.

Philippe Lioret became known thanks to his films Je va bien, ne t'en worry in 2006 and Welcome in 2009. The first reached one million admissions in theaters. The director had chosen to feature Mélanie Laurent, Kad Merad and Julien Boisselier. Adapted from the novel by Olivier Adam, the film was nominated in three categories during the 32nd edition of the Césars ceremony. Kad Merad won the César for best supporting actor and Mélanie Laurent won the César for best young female hopeful. His film Welcome, a chronicle on voluntary assistance to foreigners in an irregular situation, was awarded the 2009 Lux prize. This award is awarded by the European Parliament thanks to the votes of MEPs and the public. It also received ten nominations for the César in 2010, notably for best direction and best original screenplay. The same year he directed All our desires, with Vincent Lindon and Marie Gillain. The latter will be nominated for the César for best actress.

In 2016, his film Le Fils de Jean was well received by critics and remained in cinemas for four months. His latest film 16 Years, with Sabrina Levoye, Teïlo Azaïs and Jean-Pierre Lorit, is perhaps one too many. Released in theaters in January 2023, the film only recorded 64,700 admissions.

On the political level, he made a name for himself in 2015. During an interview on France Inter in the midst of the migrant crisis, the director was questioned about the reception of Syrian refugees. He responded by referring to Israel's Six-Day War in 1967: “The Israelis returned to the West Bank and Gaza, they robbed the Palestinians. Wasn't that the beginning of something terrible about Arab identity which today would lead us to this explosion of Muslim fundamentalism? A shortcut immediately judged by his colleague Michel Hazanavicius who responded to him on Facebook inviting him to reconsider his comments: “It’s never too late to late to say that we said something stupid.”

The facts reported by the ten accusers allegedly occurred during a work session. According to their statements, Philippe Lioret offered to act as actresses and chose scenes of an erotic nature. Other embarrassing situations would have occurred during meetings in a café or restaurant.

The 68-year-old filmmaker claims to have “never had the feeling of trying to take advantage of anyone,” he defends himself to Franceinfo. “Philippe Lioret has always been very personally involved in castings. It's really his thing, replies his lawyer, Solange Doumic. He seeks to obtain the best from the actors and actresses who pass tests. So, he's the one who gives them the answer. In the casting of All our desires, he chose a scene of tenderness because it is crucial,” concludes the lawyer.