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Tuesday
Dec152020

Not him too ...

Dominique Strauss-Kahn and the alleged rape in New York's Sofitel ... Victim monstered by lawyers ... Elaborate conspiracy theories ... The same old story ... Director General of the IMF blows-up a beautiful political future ... Miss Lumière on a peculiar French penchant 

Yes, him too. Although why anyone should be surprised by the aggressive sexual antics of a Frenchman of a certain age is rather surprising in itself. 

While watching Room 2806: The Accusation on Netflix, Miss Lumière was reminded that France is the nation that brought us the wholesale cultural defence of Roman Polanski after he admitted to drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl in Jack Nicholson's Beverly Hills pad.

There was and has been no attendant quel horreur in relation to Polanski, despite what this four-part documentary series on would-be French president Dominique Strauss-Kahn describes as the birth of the "#MeToo movement".

Strauss-Khan, or DSK as this intellectual darling of the French Left was affectionately called, is given a thorough going over in The Accusation, which is rather satisfying to watch.

Made this year, the series reviews DSK's alleged actions in 2011 (and subsequent events) though the prism of the #MeToo movement generally, and specifically through the eyes of his victims.

Nafissatou Diallo: hotel maid

They are former Sofitel New York hotel maid and Guinean refugee Nafissatou Diallo and writer Tristane Banon (the daughter of a political colleague) who accused him of attempting to rape her in 2002 when she interviewed him. 

Both women bear graphic witness to what a short, oily and powerful man can do, just because he wants to.

Director Jalil Lespert focuses on Diallo, who almost 10 years after being pinned to floor of the Presidential hotel suite and forced into oral sex, remains traumatised.

And why wouldn't she be? DSK got away with it. 

As the series reveals, the justice system works in not so mysterious ways when it comes to power and privilege. 

Aside from his huge popularity in France and abroad (as head of the IMF) DSK also had the advantage of being married to one of the country's richest and most influential media figures, Anne Sinclair. 

Strauss-Kahn: bailed out more than once by Anne Sinclair

She stood by her man, until she could no longer bear the stench, divorcing him after she helped get him off (so to speak). 

But back to matters vile, and justice perverted. 

The series shows how DSK just couldn't help himself, even after he escaped prosecution for the alleged sexual assault and rape of Diallo.

Making use of lurid news footage, Lespert delves into later allegations that DSK was involved in a sex party/prostitution ring operating out of Lille, Paris and Washington.

Throughout, various lawyers, journalists and politicians - including some of DSK's high profile friends - give freely (and disturbingly) of their views. 

Former French Culture Minister Jack Lang mounts a particularly sleazy defence of his old political ally, explaining his behaviour as that of "a sensual man".

DSK sails through it all, punitively untouched - aside from a classic US style "perp walk", a brief stint under (luxury) house arrest and a short, po-faced appearance in a New York courtroom. 

It's a sorry object lesson in how the system doesn't work, and a depressing one, especially if you're a poor black woman (or a young woman, or simply a woman).

While DSK's accusers are given a powerful platform over four increasingly grim episodes, their claims remain just that - voices in the ether.

We learn that DSK is now happily married for the fourth time and busily consulting on various financial projects in Africa and Europe. 

Well may plus ça change. But La Belle France doesn't look quite so belle anymore.

Room 2806: The Accusation is screening now on Netflix. 

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