Luc Besson targeted in Paris rape complaint

French authorities said on Saturday they are investigating a rape accusation against Valerian filmmaker Luc Besson, who denies wrongdoing.

A judicial official said that a 27-year-old woman filed a complaint on Friday accusing the 59-year-old director of drugging and having sex her at the hotel Bristol in Paris.

The official was not authorised to be publicly named.

BFM television and Europe-1 radio cite Besson’s lawyer as saying he denies the accusations.

The reports came as the Cannes Film Festival is wrapping up; accusations of sexual misconduct and inequality in the movie industry have been prominent themes at the festival this year.

Besson has produced nearly 100 films and written and directed many of them. His films include the Taken series, The Fifth Element and Leon.

His Europa Corp. production company didn’t respond to requests for comment.