Trial of French actor Gérard Depardieu over sex assault charges starts

The trial of French actor Gérard Depardieu starts in Paris today over the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021.

Depardieu, 75, who previously has denied any wrongdoing, is accused of using “violence, coercion, surprise or threat” in the alleged assault, which prosecutors said took place on the set of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters).

It has been announced that Depardieu will not appear before the criminal court due to health reasons.  

Prosecutors say that in both cases, victims reported that the actor trapped them between his legs and groped their buttocks, genitals, chest and breasts over their clothes.

One of the victims has been identified as a 53-year-old production designer. Three people witnessed the assault, prosecutors said, confirming that the woman made an attempt to break off Depardieu’s grip and that she seemed “shocked.”

After the incident, it was arranged for Depardieu to apologize. But in a TV interview aired Saturday, she said the actor was furious and blamed her for causing trouble. Prosecutors said witnesses confirmed that what Depardieu had said did not constitute an apology.

Jérémie Assous, a lawyer for Depardieu, told the AP that “the witnesses and evidence (Depardieu) will produce will demonstrate that he is the target of false accusations.”

It’s not clear when the court will rule. If convicted, he could be jailed for up to five years.

The trial comes as France continues to reckon with sexual violence in the wake of the #MeToo movement that struggled to find traction especially in the cinema industry.

Despite the allegations against Depardieu, many have come out in his support, including French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron described the actor as “the pride of France”, a comment which provoked an angry response from campaigners who claimed he was undermining efforts to protect women from violence.

Late last year, 56 French performers, writers and producers published an essay defending the film star, saying that when “Gérard Depardieu is targeted this way, it is the art (of cinema) that is being attacked.”

Their call came just weeks after national broadcaster France 2 put out a documentary outlining accusations of sexual misconduct by 16 women against Depardieu, and showed the actor making obscene remarks and gestures during a 2018 trip to North Korea.

He was charged in 2021 with rape and sexual assault after authorities revived a 2018 investigation that was initially dropped, following allegations from actress Charlotte Arnould.

In an open letter published in the newspaper Le Figaro, Depardieu said last year: “I have never, ever abused a woman.”

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Feminist groups have called for a protest outside the courthouse ahead of Monday’s hearings.