/ 19 August 2015

Dominique Strauss-Kahn courtroom drama headed for the big screen

French economist and former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn.
French economist and former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

The scandal surrounding former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn and his alleged sexual assault of a New York hotel maid is to be the subject of a new Hollywood film.

Described as a “comedic dramatisation”, The Libertine is being put together by Warner Bros and is based on a screenplay by newcomer Ben Kopit, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The film follows Abel Ferrara’s 2014 film Welcome to New York, which starred Gérard Depardieu as a character inspired by Strauss-Kahn and Jacqueline Bisset as his wife.

Strauss-Kahn was arrested in New York in May 2011 after being accused of a brutal assault by Nafissatou Diallo at a Sofitel hotel in Manhattan. Kahn admitted there had been a sexual encounter, but insisted that it was consensual. Prosecutors later dropped the criminal charges and Strauss-Kahn settled a civil action out of court in December 2012.

The French economist’s reputation took a further battering in June during the trial. He was acquitted on pimping charges related to sex parties with prostitutes when he was head of the IMF. In a French court, Strauss-Kahn was found not to have promoted or profited from the prostitution of seven women and denied knowing that participants at swingers parties at Lille’s Hôtel Carlton between 2009 and 2011 had been paid to attend.

Two of the prostitutes described being penetrated anally by the socialist politician after being brought to the hotel as the “dessert course” at business lunches. They claimed associates of Strauss-Kahn had paid for their services.

It is not known if the new film will include details of the later trial, but its title suggests Strauss-Kahn’s attitude towards sex during his time as one of the most powerful men in France will provide the central focus. No casting details for the film have emerged yet and Warner Bros have not appointed a director. â€“ © Guardian News & Media 2015