Movies

Fired assistant sues Paul Schrader, alleging sexual assault, harassment and retaliation

BBG News

Previously employed aide alleges that acclaimed filmmaker Paul Schrader committed sexual misconduct (including sexual assault, harassment, retribution, and breach of a private agreement).

On Thursday, accusations were made in a New York court case asking for a ruling on enforcing a settlement that the screenwriter of “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull,” who remains unnamed in this context as Jane Doe to preserve privacy, was said to have agreed to in principle on February 5th. However, it is claimed that they never put their signatures on the agreement. The lawsuit concerns sexual misconduct allegations against this individual.

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Philip J. Kessler, representing Schrader, described the lawsuit as “desperate, exploitative, and baseless” in remarks to the Associated Press. He strongly denied that Schrader had ever pursued a sexual relationship with Doe and stated that his client opted not to sign the proposed settlement due to various reasons, implying some of the claims made in the lawsuit were false or misleading.

As per court records, John Doe, aged 26, was employed by Elder Schrader, who is 78 years old, from May 2021 until September 2024. The document claims that Doe sexually assaulted Schrader during the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. At this festival, they were showcasing Schrader’s latest directorial project, “Oh, Canada,” a drama starring Richard Gere and Uma Thurman, which he also co-wrote.

According to her lawyer, Gregory S. Chiarello, Defendant Schrader consistently subjected Doe to a work environment that was sexually offensive, intimidating, and humiliating on a regular basis – sometimes even hourly. The harassment by Schrader, as described, encompassed sexual assault, forcing Doe to witness his genitals, unwanted sexual advances, repeatedly expressing affection and a desire to touch Doe (both verbally and through numerous emails), and an almost continuous stream of inappropriate sexual questions and crude, misogynistic remarks.

The document claims that, on a particular occasion in Cannes, Schrader is said to have instructed Doe to go to her room. Once there, he allegedly confined her inside, forcibly grabbed her arms, and forcefully kissed her without her consent. Subsequently, attempts were made to prevent her from leaving the room.

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Three days after, tricking Doe into his room under the pretense of helping him pack, claiming he was too ill to do it himself, “Schrader entered his hotel room wearing only an open bathrobe, revealing his exposed genitals,” according to the filing. “As Ms. Doe nervously packed Mr. Schrader’s belongings, he repeatedly remarked, ‘I am soaked with sweat. I drenched the sheets. Touch them and feel how damp they are.’ Ms. Doe hurriedly packed his things and fled.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself compelled to share an incident where I, allegedly, sent messages to another party that were brought up in court filings. At around the same time, according to these documents, I expressed feelings such as “I have the instinct to reach out to you but I can sense your reluctance” and “On certain occasions (not this one), I get a sense that you’re scared I might touch you… The thought of you feeling afraid I might make physical contact with you makes me shudder.

In September, the filmmaker dismissed Doe because she didn’t agree with his unwanted sexual advances, according to the document. Two days after that, he sent an email to Doe stating, “I’ve made a huge mistake… If I now seem like Harvey Weinstein in your eyes, then obviously you have no other option but to leave me behind.

Following the decision of the settlement sum made early in February, the document states that attorneys communicated back and forth through emails regarding minor details. The filing further reveals that in late March, the writer-director fell ill, took some time for introspection during this period, and subsequently decided against paying the complete, mutually agreed-upon amount.

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According to Schrader’s lawyer, Kessler, the argument they are attempting to enforce against Mr. Schrader is disputed. In simpler terms, the agreement was only valid once both parties had signed it. However, Mr. Schrader chose not to sign it, making it invalid. Essentially, it boils down to that straightforward fact.

The total amount due in this case has been removed from relevant documents linked to the claim. Doe is requesting that Schrader pays her the amount they supposedly agreed upon initially, along with interest, court fees, legal expenses, and extra damages amounting to 10% of the settlement sum.

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2025-04-08 01:31

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