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Unifrance Managing Director Daniela Elstner Files Police Complaint Against Singer and Actor Patrick Bruel for Attempted Rape and Sexual Assault

What happened

Daniela Elstner, managing director of French cinema export agency Unifrance, filed a police complaint on March 12 against French singer and actor Patrick Bruel for attempted rape and sexual assault. The complaint was revealed by investigative news website Mediapart, which also reports six others have made similar allegations. Bruel's lawyer has denied all allegations against his client.

Why people care

Patrick Bruel is a major French entertainment figure, and Elstner holds a powerful position in the French film industry as head of the agency that promotes French cinema internationally. The case adds to ongoing reckonings with sexual assault allegations in the entertainment industry.

The takes

Elstner's side

Elstner has formally filed criminal charges alleging Bruel forced himself on her in 1997. She had previously spoken about the alleged assault without naming Bruel, and now multiple other women have reportedly come forward with similar allegations.

Bruel's defense

Bruel's lawyer has categorically denied all allegations against his client. The legal team is presumably preparing to fight the charges and defend against what they view as false accusations.

Sources