The trial began as early as October, but was postponed because the actor's health was too poor. 76-year-old Depardieu, one of France's biggest film stars, is accused of assault that allegedly took place during the filming of the film "Les volet verts" ("The green shutters") in 2021.
A now 55-year-old props manager claims to have been subjected to sexual assault, harassment, and sexist insults. Another woman, an assistant director, alleges that Depardieu subjected her to sexual violence.
The props manager has told the newspaper Mediapart about how Depardieu, on one occasion, held her fast, "closed his legs" around her, fondled her stomach, waist, and up towards her breasts. Depardieu is then said to have shouted obscenities at the woman while his bodyguards dragged him away.
American import
Gérard Depardieu has denied all allegations and his lawyer Jérémie Assous calls them baseless, but says that Depardieu – who recently underwent a quadruple bypass operation and has diabetes – will appear for the two-day trial.
France has previously been criticized for its resistance to the #MeToo movement, which has been partly dismissed as an "American import" that is not compatible with French values. France has also struggled with a deeply rooted reluctance to confront abuse involving high-profile cultural figures, critics argue.
Commission set up
In February, however, director Christophe Ruggia was convicted of sexual assault on actress Adèle Haenel, abuse that took place when she was a minor. Haenel, who has left the film industry in protest, has been one of the country's most vocal #MeToo voices.
Actress Judith Godrèche has also accused two French directors of sexually exploiting her as a teenager. The allegations led several other actors to come forward with similar experiences – and the French government to set up a special commission to investigate sexual violence in the film and TV world.
