A Paris court has convicted actor Gérard Depardieu of sexual assault on a film set during the shooting of “Les Volets Verts” in 2021. At 76, Depardieu was found guilty of groping a 54-year-old set dresser. The court is set to announce a sentence later in the day, and another accusation against him is also pending. This trial is significant as it tests how the French film industry addresses allegations of sexual misconduct against prominent figures, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Depardieu has denied the allegations but acknowledged using vulgar language and having a brief physical altercation with the set dresser.
The set dresser described being cornered by the actor in a narrow space, where he allegedly grabbed her waist and proceeded to touch her intimately. She testified that he even suggested she should engage in sexual acts with him forcefully. A second plaintiff, an assistant, also accused Depardieu of groping her multiple times.
The Paris public prosecutor has recommended an 18-month suspended sentence and a fine of €20,000, criticizing Depardieu’s complete denial and lack of remorse. Despite the gravity of the accusations, some figures in the French cinema community, such as actors Vincent Perez and Fanny Ardant, have shown support for him during the trial. Depardieu has faced allegations from over 20 women, but only this case has advanced to court due to various legal hurdles. He may also confront further legal issues stemming from a separate ongoing rape allegation made by actress Charlotte Arnould in 2018.
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