Sofiane Bennacer

The Cesar Academy, the French equivalent to the Oscars, says anyone suspected of sexual misconduct or violence will be excluded from the ceremony this year.

But the Academy decided otherwise after receiving news he was under investigation for sexual and domestic violence. Polanski supporters however, including actor Jean Dujardin who starred in his movie, J'Accuse (An Officer and a Spy), said the public should make a difference between the man and the artist. Polanski has admitted the actions he is accused of, but he claims they were consensual.

The César Awards, France's primary film awards ceremony, has announced that it will ban anyone who is being investigated for allegations of sexual ...

The new rules also apply to anyone who has been convicted of offenses. Polanski fled the US on the eve of final sentencing in the case. In November, the French Academy removed Bennacer from the talent showcase and announced that it would set new rules for candidates undergoing a judicial procedure.

An actor seen as a frontrunner for the César movie awards, Sofiane Bennacer, was removed from the nominations list after police investigated him in a rape ...

However, it faced a mixed response, with several high-profile actresses and celebrities voicing criticism of the campaign. This year’s change does not appear to prevent such nominees from being awarded Césars — the most coveted prize in French cinema. “This victory is only possible thanks to your courage. The César Academy’s then-president said at the time that he [tweeted](https://twitter.com/osezlefeminisme/status/1610186830611206145) in response to the academy’s decision. The ban comes several months after police launched an investigation into an erstwhile contender for this year’s awards, Sofiane Bennacer, over allegations of rape and violence against former partners — accusations he denies.

The César Award ceremony 2023 will be held on February 24 in Paris, France. Francois Durand/Getty Images. Paris CNN —.

Or are we in a state of lawlessness, a state where the mere unfounded accusation can destroy a life?” Bennacer wrote. “Does the presumption of innocence still exist? That same day he took to Instagram to deny the accusations against him.