Acclaimed filmmaker Paul Schrader is facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct, according to a lawsuit filed last week in New York by a 26-year-old woman, identified only as Jane Doe. The accusations stem from incidents that allegedly occurred during the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, where Schrader was promoting his film Oh, Canada, featuring stars like Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, and Jacob Elordi.
According to the lawsuit, Schrader allegedly forcibly grabbed and kissed the woman while they were at Cannes. Three days later, she claims he summoned her to his hotel room, where he exposed himself. The legal filing states that since these events, the plaintiff has suffered severe emotional and psychological trauma, including nightmares, extreme anxiety, and social withdrawal.
The woman, who worked closely with Schrader, also claims that he engaged in “countless other acts of sexual harassment” and ultimately fired her in September 2024. Just two days after her dismissal, Schrader allegedly acknowledged his behavior in an email, writing, “If I have become a Harvey Weinstein in your mind then of course you have no choice but to put me in the rear view mirror.” This comparison references Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer whose serial abuse of women fueled the rise of the Me Too movement.
Jane Doe’s suit further alleges that Schrader initially agreed to a confidential financial settlement regarding the accusations but later withdrew from the agreement. The current legal motion seeks to enforce the terms of that agreement and demands that Schrader cover the plaintiff’s legal fees and related costs.
However, Schrader’s attorney, Philip Kessler, has denied the claims, stating that no binding agreement was signed and therefore has no legal standing. Kessler emphasized that Schrader ultimately decided against paying the proposed settlement amount and denies the core allegations. According to Kessler, Schrader only kissed the woman twice over the span of three and a half years, and she only expressed discomfort after the second kiss—after which, he claims, Schrader made no further advances. Kessler also denies that Schrader ever attempted to have sex with her or exposed himself.
The lawsuit has drawn attention due to Schrader’s prominence in the film industry, and AFP has reportedly reached out to the organizers of the Cannes Film Festival for comment regarding the alleged incidents.
