The acclaimed American filmmaker Paul Schrader, celebrated for writing the screenplays of cinematic masterpieces such as Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, has been accused of sexual harassment by his former assistant.
The case, which has sparked widespread outrage, centers around an alleged incident that occurred during last year’s Cannes Film Festival, where the artist’s latest film Oh, Canada – The Betrayals, starring Richard Gere, Jacob Elordi, and Uma Thurman, had its premiere.
The legal action, filed last week in New York State Court, was brought by a 26-year-old woman who worked with Schrader from 2021 to 2024. The woman, who chose to remain anonymous under the pseudonym “Jane Doe,” claims the director sexually assaulted her in a hotel suite during the festival, despite her repeated verbal refusals.
According to the court documents, the screenwriter allegedly forcibly kissed the woman after luring her into the room. She managed to break free and escape, but in the following days, she claims to have received numerous angry messages and phone calls from the filmmaker. Concerned for his well-being after Schrader claimed he was “on the verge of death” she returned to the hotel, where she reportedly found him wearing an open bathrobe, fully exposing himself.
Following the incident, Schrader has terminated their professional relationship and later sent an email in which he partially admitted to his behavior. In the message, as reported, the director acknowledged his wrongdoing, describing it as a serious mistake and saying that if she now saw him as “a Harvey Weinstein,” he understood she had no choice but to cut ties.
According to the plaintiff’s attorney, the two parties had initially reached a confidential out-of-court settlement, with Schrader agreeing to pay a sum to resolve the matter. However, the filmmaker later refused to sign the agreement, stating he “couldn’t live with himself” if he went through with it.
The 78-year-old’s lawyer, Philip Kessler, has denied all allegations against his client, describing the legal action as “a desperate and opportunistic lawsuit.” He further claimed the statements within the complaint were “inaccurate, misleading, and exaggerated.”
This case once again casts a spotlight on the broader issue of how the film industry handles sexual misconduct allegations, especially when involving powerful figures. While the legal proceedings continue, public opinion remains sharply focused on whether the case will have lasting consequences for Schrader’s reputation and career.
