The French director and screenwriter Céline Sciamma is known for her sensitivity, authenticity, and portrayal of introspective exploration of characters along with dynamics between women and girls.

When it comes to her film, fans are always curious about what new emotions and practices she will bring from her material. So, in this article, we will learn about Céline Sciamma’s partner, her muse for movies.

5. Beginning of Their Story: How Did They Meet?

In 2014, Céline came out as lesbian when she revealed her relationship with Actress Adèle Haenel in her acceptance speech for her César Award.

The love story of the director and the actress is something common to be witnessed in the entertainment role. Céline Sciamma met her actress girlfriend on the set of her debut film, Water Lilies, which she wrote herself.

Céline Sciamma’s partner, Haenel, was taking a break from her acting career. So, casting director Christel Baras had to persuade Adele to take the film offer and resume her film career.

So Haenel ended up taking the offer and portrayed the role of synchronized swimmer. So, the two beautiful individuals met on the set of the movie and fell in love with each other.

The couple took time to know each other and dated after the movie. There was news about them separating amicably shortly before they started their new project, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, sharing there is no problem working with an ex.

However, on May 19, 2020, the director shared an adorable picture of them together.

4. Opening About Their Relationship To The World

It is amazing to see how the two human beings are in love and are not afraid to open up about their love and affection for each other.

Likewise, in 2014, the world and the audience at the César Awards witnessed a similar scene where Adèle Haenel expressed her love for her partner Céline.

Adèle was on the stage giving an acceptance speech for winning the award of Best Supporting Actress in a supporting role for her role in Suzanne by Katell Quillévéré.

The actress was not sure about receiving the award, so she didn’t plan any script in her head. However, when she received the award, she was confused about what to say, and in the end, she expressed her love for Céline.

That moment was indeed a cherished moment going down in the history of the entertainment world.

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3. French Actress: Package of Grace and Buoyancy

The French actress made her debut in the entertainment world at 12 when she played the role of an autistic girl in Les Diables, a film by Christophe Ruggia. However, she took a break of five years after the movie.

Then Haenel resumed her career with Water lilies. Her role was highlighted in the New York Times, and people recognized her as the real star of work in the process.

In 2011, the actress portrayed the role of a prostitute of the twentieth century in the movie House of Tolerance, for which she received the Lumières Award for Most Promising Actress alongside Céline Sallette and Alice Barnole.

The actress used her fluency in German and made her debut in the film The Bloom of Yesterday. Her role in movies is headstrong characters who never leave their fights. 

Futhermore, Haenel’s performance in The Trouble With You gained her the title of classic screwball heroine, where she carried the role with grace and buoyancy.

The French actress’s performance in Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire amazed the entertainment world. Her acting was called one of the finest pieces of acting.

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2. Céline Sciamma’s Partner’s Retirement From the Industry

In May of 2022, Céline Sciamma’s love interest told a German magazine, FAQ, that she was stepping down and quitting her acting career. 

Haenel called the French industry a capitalist, patriarchal, racist, and sexist world, which she tried to change but didn’t want to be part of anymore.

The actress’s last project was to be with Bruno Dumont‘s The Empire, but she said that the script was full of cancel culture and sexual violence.

Céline tried to discuss it with the director, but it was not possible because of the intentional action to create a sci-fi film with a racist narrative.

Lastly, Haenel announced her retirement in May 2023 through a letter published in a French magazine expressing complacency in regard to people like Gérard Depardieu, Roman Polanski, and Dominique Boutonnat, who have been accused of being sexual predators.

1. Gone Through Assaults

Haenel was one of the prominent actresses who called out sexual abuse in the French entertainment world. She accused the director of her debut film, Christophe Ruggia, of sexually assaulting her for three years.

Adèle said that sexual assault was the reason she thought of quitting acting and took a break of five years. Many people backed up Haenel and noted the inappropriate behavior of Ruggia.

As a result of such claims, Ruggia was expelled from the Société des réalisateurs de films. 

However, the actress chose not to knock on the door of the police because she thinks that justice ignores the victim and condemns a few sexual offenders.

Later, the actress changed her mind and worked with the police resulting in the charging of Ruggia with a case of sexual aggression against a minor.

During the 45th César Awards ceremony, Roman Polanski, a person convicted of raping 13-year-old Samantha Geimer, won the award as best director.

So, Haenel, Céline Sciamma, Noemie Merlant, and Aïssa Maïga walked out of the award ceremony clapping sarcastically and shaming the director with the title of ‘Paedophile.’

The road to change deep-rooted misogynistic, sexist, and racist thoughts of the entertainment world is not going to be easy for Céline and Adèle. However, the continuous effort can provoke change to some extent.

Therefore, we hope that the couple will be successful in fighting against those ruthless monsters and serve justice to victims. We truly applaud the strength of them, and they are a living example of change that begins with ourselves.