French actor and director Samuel Theis has been placed under assisted witness status following an accusation of rape, as reported on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
Yves Badorc, public prosecutor in Metz, stated that Samuel Theis, globally known for his role in “Anatomy of a Fall”, escaped indictment and was instead placed under the status of assisted witness during a hearing on July 4 with the investigating judge of Metz.
Accusation by a Technician
An initial investigation was launched earlier this year by the Metz prosecutor’s office following a 27-year-old technician filed a complaint in July 2023 accusing the 45-year-old director of rape. The technician alleged that she was forced into sexual activity while working on the film “Je le jure” in Moselle.
In response to the allegations, Samuel Theis admitted to engaging in consensual oral sex with the complainant and requested that his presumption of innocence be respected.
Following an internal investigation that lasted several months, it was concluded that there was a lack of supporting evidence.
Isolation During Filming
During the remaining filming period, a strict protocol was enforced where Samuel Theis, who was directing remotely, was separated from his team. This system was put in place by producers to address the accusations while continuing production, a source close to the case revealed.
Additionally, a civil lawsuit was filed by the same technician in November, and both legal procedures have been combined, confirmed by Mr. Badorc.
Samuel Theis Placed Under Assisted Witness Status Following Accusation of Rape
French actor and director Samuel Theis, known for his role in “Anatomy of a Fall,” has recently been placed under assisted witness status following facing accusations of rape. The public prosecutor in Metz, Yves Badorc, confirmed this development on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
According to Mr. Badorc, Samuel Theis was spared indictment and instead placed under the status of an assisted witness during a summons on July 4 by the investigating judge in Metz. The allegations stem from a complaint filed in July 2023 by a 27-year-old female technician, who accused the 45-year-old director of rape during the filming of the movie “Je le jure” in Moselle.
Background of the Allegations
The preliminary investigation into the rape allegations was launched earlier this year by the Metz prosecutor’s office. The complainant alleges that she was coerced into having sexual intercourse by Samuel Theis during the filming of the movie. In response to these accusations, the filmmaker acknowledged engaging in consensual oral sex with the technician but emphasized the importance of respecting his presumption of innocence.
An internal investigation was conducted following the allegations, lasting several months, which ultimately concluded that there was a lack of supporting evidence to substantiate the claims once morest Samuel Theis.
Separation from Team and Confinement Protocol
As a result of the accusations, a strict confinement protocol was implemented for Samuel Theis, where he was physically separated from his team for the remainder of the filming process. The director continued to oversee the production remotely to balance addressing the complainant’s allegations with the need to complete the film.
This separation was devised by the producers as a measure to handle the allegations sensitively while ensuring the continuity of the project. Additionally, a civil action complaint was filed by the technician in November, and both legal procedures have been combined, as confirmed by Mr. Badorc.
In Conclusion
It is essential to approach sensitive issues such as allegations of sexual misconduct with empathy and integrity, respecting the rights of all individuals involved. The case of Samuel Theis serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding such accusations and the importance of conducting thorough investigations to establish facts and seek justice.
As the legal proceedings continue, it is crucial to uphold the principles of due process and fair treatment for both the accuser and the accused. The outcome of this case will have a significant impact on the lives of those involved and highlights the need for a compassionate and just approach to addressing allegations of this nature.
