Gerard Depardieu Faces Trial for Sexual Assault Allegations in Landmark French #MeToo Case
French cinematic icon Gerard Depardieu arrived in court on Monday to face trial over multiple sexual assault allegations stemming from incidents that reportedly occurred on a film set in 2021. The trial marks a crucial moment in France’s ongoing reckoning with sexual violence and abuse, and represents the first time that allegations against the actor have reached a courtroom.
Depardieu, a towering figure in French cinema with a career spanning decades, has been embroiled in a growing number of sexual assault allegations in recent years. The accusations, which have been made by over ten women who have worked with the actor in various capacities, stretch back to the early 2000s and paint a picture of a pattern of alleged abuse and misconduct.
Despite the mounting allegations, Depardieu has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The current trial focuses on incidents that reportedly took place during the filming of "Les Volets Verts" (The Green Shutters) in 2021. Depardieu’s lawyer, Jeremie Assous, emphasized his client’s steadfast denial of the accusations, stating on French radio RMC, "He has obviously denied it from the beginning."
The trial, initially scheduled to begin in October but postponed due to Depardieu’s health, is expected to last up to three days. Assous added that Depardieu intends to address the court directly, asserting, "Like any person facing trial, he has the right to speak. He will finally speak."
If convicted of assault, Depardieu could face a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros (approximately $81,200).
Prosecutors allege that Depardieu assaulted two women during the filming of "Les Volets Verts," the identities of whom have not been publicly disclosed. According to the prosecution, Depardieu allegedly groped one of the women on the film set in front of three witnesses. The prosecutors claim that he pulled her towards him, trapped her with his legs, and proceeded to touch her waist, hips, and breasts while uttering obscene remarks.
The second woman alleges that Depardieu assaulted her both on set and in the street. The details of this second alleged assault remain less specific in public reporting.
The sensitivity of the case is heightened by Depardieu’s prominence in French culture. A lawyer representing one of the alleged victims told Reuters that her client had been hesitant to come forward due to Depardieu’s status as a cinema giant. "There’s a fear because he’s a cinema giant," said attorney Carine Durrieu-Diebolt. "It’s a struggle between David and Goliath, and they are afraid of retaliation as they all work in cinema but at a much lower level than Depardieu." The other woman’s lawyer did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
Depardieu has consistently maintained his innocence since the allegations began to surface publicly. In an open letter published in the French newspaper Le Figaro in 2023, he wrote, "Never, ever have I abused a woman." He further stated, "Hurting a woman would be like kicking my own mother in the stomach," and characterized the media’s coverage of the allegations as a "lynching." Depardieu concluded, "I have only my word to defend myself."
The trial of Gerard Depardieu is considered one of the most high-profile #MeToo cases to reach the courts in France, a country where the movement against sexual violence has faced challenges in gaining the same level of momentum as in the United States. Despite this, recent developments suggest a potential shift in the French cultural landscape regarding sexual abuse and accountability.
The case of Gisele Pelicot, who bravely waived her right to anonymity during the trial of her former husband, became a global symbol of feminist empowerment. Pelicot’s former husband was convicted of drugging her and inviting dozens of men to their home to sexually abuse her. In total, fifty-one men, including Pelicot’s husband, were convicted in the case, illustrating the scale and severity of the abuse she endured. Pelicot’s decision to speak out publicly, including through French rap, is credited with having a significant impact on raising awareness and challenging societal norms surrounding sexual violence in France.
Furthermore, a French court recently found film director Christophe Ruggia guilty of sexually abusing actress Adele Haenel when she was a minor. This conviction marks another significant step toward holding perpetrators of sexual abuse accountable in the French film industry.
These recent cases, coupled with the ongoing trial of Gerard Depardieu, underscore the evolving conversation around sexual violence in France. While the #MeToo movement may have initially faced obstacles in gaining traction, the courage of survivors like Gisele Pelicot and Adele Haenel, along with the legal proceedings against figures like Christophe Ruggia and now Gerard Depardieu, suggest a growing willingness to address and confront sexual abuse and misconduct within the country. The outcome of Depardieu’s trial will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of the #MeToo movement in France and its impact on the entertainment industry and beyond. It will serve as a litmus test for the French legal system’s commitment to holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions and providing justice for victims of sexual assault.
