Paul Schrader was accused of sexual harassment and sexual assault by a former assistant who also alleges that the scriptwriter-director has denied a regulation agreed by the two parties.
In a legal file for accuser Jane Doe obtained for the first time by VarietyThe applicant claims that Schrader assaulted her sexually in May 2024 when the defendant’s film Oh, Canada Created at the Cannes Film Festival.
“In May 2024, at the Film Festival, the defendant Schrader asked Ms. Doe to go to her hotel room, trapped her inside, grabbed her arms and pushed her face into hers to kiss her against her will, then held her in an effort to keep her in the room before getting rid of and flee the hotel room.”
Three days later, Schrader summoned his assistant from his hotel room to pack his bags, saying that he was “dying”. When Doe arrived, Schrader would have “opened the door to his hotel room with nothing other than a robe open with his fully exposed penis. While Mrs. Doe tried to pack Mr. Schrader’s bags in a terrified silence, he commented several times: “I am so sweaty. I sweated through the beds. Ms. Doe packed her bags as quickly as she could and left, ”says the file.
The assistant was employed by Schrader – the screenwriter on Taxi driver And Unleashing bull In addition to making films like American Gigolo And First reformed – From May 2021 to September 2024.
“After Ms. Doe refused to nod in the sexual advances of the Schrader defendant, on September 23, 2024, he retaliated against her and put an end to her job,” said the file. “Two days later, in full recognition of his illegal and predator behavior, he wrote an e-mail to him:” So I fucked up. Big Time…. If I have become a Harvey Weinstein in your mind, then of course, you have no choice but to put myself in the mirror. “”
According to the file, the lawyers of Doe and Schrader concluded a settlement agreement “in exchange for a confidential amount to pay over a period of seven months.” However, while Doe signed the agreement, after a “soul search”, Schrader refused to do so, claiming that he “could not” live with himself “if he counted his obligations under the settlement agreement”.
“To date, the plaintiff has fulfilled all its obligations under the settlement agreement and the payment document, namely by not continuing, via civil action, its countless legal complaints against the defendants”, the file – which aims to restore the binding agreement – said.
Schrader’s lawyer Philip Kessler told Variety that the legal file was “responsible for inaccuracies”. “We consider this request for a contract of contract as desperate, opportunistic and frivolous,” said Kessler, adding that since Schrader has never signed the agreement, he cannot be applied by the court.
Kessler also cited social media publications removed by Doe praising Schrader, and added that she was frequently joined him for cinema dinners and festivals. “In any of these cases, the applicant indicated nothing other than enthusiasm to the idea of appearing with Mr. Schrader,” added Kessler.
