Geneva – Actress Adèle Haenel spoke candidly about her departure from the film industry and the empowering force of political engagement at the 24th edition of the International Film Festival and Human Rights Forum (FIFDH) this month. The discussion, held on March 9, 2026, alongside essayist Sarah Schulman and journalist Constant Spina, centered on the vital importance of solidarity in a world facing increasing authoritarianism.
Haenel’s remarks came after a screening of Portuali, a documentary by Perla Sardella that chronicles the struggle of dockworkers in Genoa against the shipment of arms. The film, which highlights the intersectionality of various social justice movements, served as a powerful backdrop for a conversation about resistance and organization in the face of global challenges. The event drew a large crowd the day after International Women’s Day, demonstrating a clear appetite for discussions surrounding activism and social change.
Defining solidarity as “an exchange of practices of resistance,” Haenel and Schulman addressed a range of pressing issues, including the conflicts in Palestine and Iran, the rise of fascism, colonialism, and the repression of migrants in the United States. The conversation explored the complexities of maintaining solidarity amidst attempts at silencing and the pervasive fear that often accompanies political action. Haenel, who joined the Global Sumud flotilla for Gaza in September 2025, emphasized the practical application of this resistance.
Haenel, now performing in the play Voir clair avec Monique Wittig, reflected on her decision to step away from cinema in 2020, a move that sent ripples through the French film industry. “I had no choice… It had become unbearable to live under this silence and [to suffer] all its consequences in my life and in the lives of those around me,” she shared, visibly moved. Her departure was directly linked to her experience as a prominent voice in France’s #MeToo movement.
In 2019, Haenel publicly accused director Christophe Ruggia of sexual assault, alleging incidents that occurred between 2001 and 2004, even as she was a minor, during the filming of Les Diables (2002). Télérama reports that in early 2025, the Paris Criminal Court sentenced Ruggia to four years in prison, two of which were suspended. Ruggia has appealed the decision, with a recent trial held in January, and a judgment is expected on April 17.
“When I first spoke out, I felt like I was going to explode. There’s a before and an after,” Haenel stated. The aftermath of her revelations was further complicated when the César Awards, France’s equivalent of the Oscars, awarded Roman Polanski the Best Director prize just months later, despite his 1977 conviction in the United States for statutory rape. Haenel responded by leaving the ceremony in protest, decrying the decision as a scandal.
Haenel was quick to acknowledge the groundwork laid by those who came before her, stating, “There are people before me who made my voice possible, and I just took action on that line.” She emphasized that she stopped “fighting against myself and collaborating with this system based on sexual violence that was suffocating me.” She described finding “a taste for integrity,” a sentiment that informs her understanding of solidarity. “It’s not really that I wanted to help others, it’s that I didn’t spot any other way to live,” she explained.
When asked about her career in cinema, which she effectively left behind, Haenel offered a resolute response: “I didn’t sacrifice my career. I made a political choice that makes me prouder to be alive. I paid a price that I was willing to pay. I continue to develop art that, in my eyes, has even more meaning than anything I was able to do before.” This sentiment underscores her belief that solidarity is not merely a slogan, but a guiding principle in her life.
The FIFDH continues through March 15, 2026, offering a platform for dialogue and engagement on critical human rights issues.
As Adèle Haenel’s journey demonstrates, the intersection of art and activism can be a powerful catalyst for change. Her commitment to solidarity and her willingness to prioritize her values over conventional career paths offer a compelling example for others seeking to make a meaningful impact. The ongoing legal proceedings regarding Christophe Ruggia, with a judgment expected on April 17, will undoubtedly remain a focal point in the conversation surrounding accountability and justice within the film industry.
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