A new biography on the life of Claude Jutra suggests the legendary Quebec actor and film director was a pedophile.
The biography is coming out this week, and its author Yves Lever states in it that Jutra was attracted to underage boys and said there was at least one victim under the age of 14.
It suggests that the director of such well-known local movies like Mon oncle Antoine and Kamouraska often acted inappropriately with young boys on movie sets and that it was a well-known fact within Quebec's movie and TV industry, but that no one ever spoke out against it.
None of the biographer's allegations have been proven, and no victim has ever come forward. The book, which comes out Tuesday, includes four pages of testimony from “close friends” who make the allegations.
Jutra committed suicide in 1986 after battling with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 56 years old.
Quebec's version of the Oscars is called the Prix Jutra in his honour, and now the allegations against Jutra have become an embarrassment for the awards.
Voices are being raised by some who say the name Jutra should be dropped from the awards.
Quebec Cinema, which organizes the annual award ceremony issued a press release Monday afternoon, saying they've formed a committee of elders to determine how to handle the situation.
The decision will have to be made soon – the awards show is scheduled for March 20.
Culture Minister Helene David called the allegations troubling but said people should not rush to judgment without all the facts.
With files from the Canadian Press
