Who is Anne Lassalle, the lawyer who contributes to the birth of #MeTooTheatre?

His work is essential in an environment where silence reigns around sexist and sexual violence. Attorney at the Bar of Seine-Saint-Denis, Anna Lassalle for four years he defended dozens of actresses who denounced this violence. She is an important figure in #MeTooTeatro.

Anne Lassalle, the lawyer who centralizes the testimonies of #MeTooTheatre

Last October, the theater world was rocked by the Sofiane Bennacer case. The lead actor of the film The almond trees by Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi was indicted in October for rape and assault on several former comrades. The alleged victims evolve in the world of theatre: for this reason in particular we talk about #MeTooThéâtre.

Several women employed on the set have denounced the silence imposed by the director on the multiple allegations that the lead actor of the film has been subjected to. Some have even chosen to do so resign refuse silence. After collecting the testimony of several of them denouncing the actor’s violence, Anne Lassalle explained in the columns of World :

“Some have come to see me after consulting lawyers who have told them so : “You’re wasting your breath.” She will never answer. If I say : “No, don’t go”, it’s like giving a first opinion on their case. However, in a file, we can hope for everything… But without guarantee of result. »

Besides actresses and comedians, who listens to technicians from cinema, series and theater?

In an environment where the topic of presumption of innocence sometimes it is brandished as a pretext for victims of silencerecalls Anne Lassalle” the need to hear, and to hear aloud”with the main newspaper: “When you bump your foot against a piece of furniture, you scream. When you are the victim of a theft, you scream. Why shouldn’t only victims of sexual assault have the right to say it out loud? »

If most of the employees have remained anonymous, it is surely because a class struggle is also at stake in this affair. The actor and above all the director have undoubtedly managed to make their voices heard more than certain women less known to the general public, and whose name does not appear among the first in the credits of the films. It’s no coincidence that the media explosion of #MeToo in 2017 was driven by actresses: they were in a social position to be heard. But how many technicians, hairdressers, make-up artists, costume designers and other cinema, series or theater technicians are still silenced?

Featured image credit: © Creative commons