- French actor Gérard Depardieu faces trial in Paris over allegations of sexually assaulting two women during a 2021 film shoot, marking a high-profile #MeToo case in France.
- Depardieu, who denies all accusations, could face up to five years in prison if convicted, with the trial seen as a test of France’s stance on sexual violence.
Meanwhile, in France, actor Gérard Depardieu is set to stand trial in Paris over allegations of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of “Les Volets Verts” in 2021. Depardieu, a towering figure in French cinema, has faced numerous accusations of sexual misconduct from over a dozen women, though this is the first case to proceed to trial. The two plaintiffs, a 34-year-old assistant director and a 54-year-old set designer, claim that Depardieu groped them on set. The trial, initially scheduled for October 2023, was postponed due to Depardieu’s health issues, including a quadruple heart bypass surgery.
Depardieu has consistently denied all allegations, and his lawyer, Jérémie Assous, has called the accusations “lies.” If convicted, Depardieu could face up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 ($81,000). The trial is seen as a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement in France, which has been slower to gain traction compared to the United States. The case has divided the French film industry, with some defending Depardieu and others supporting the plaintiffs.