PARIS (AP) — French actor Gérard Depardieu is scheduled to stand trial in relation to allegations of sexual assault involving two women on a film set in 2021. However, he will not be appearing in a Paris criminal court on Monday due to health issues, as confirmed by his lawyer.
His attorney, Jérémie Assous, stated that medical professionals have advised against Depardieu’s attendance at the trial’s opening. “He is deeply affected, and unfortunately, his doctors have deemed it inadvisable for him to attend the hearing,” Assous shared with France Info radio.
Depardieu, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, is accused of employing “violence, coercion, surprise, or threat” in the incidents, which reportedly occurred during the filming of “Les Volets verts” (“The Green Shutters”).
In the accusations, both alleged victims assert that the 75-year-old actor would trap them between his legs and inappropriately touch their bodies, groping areas including their buttocks, genitals, chest, and breasts over their clothing.
Details of the Allegations
Among the victims, a 53-year-old production designer reported that Depardieu made repeated sexual remarks towards her. During an encounter, she claims he grabbed her, blocking her movement with his legs, while groping her waist and chest, all accompanied by lewd comments. This incident was reportedly witnessed by three individuals who confirmed that she attempted to escape his grip and appeared visibly distressed. Following the incident, a psychiatrist recommended a seven-day leave for her.
Efforts were made to arrange an apology from Depardieu after the incident, yet during a television interview, the production designer remarked that he showed anger and blamed her for creating a situation that caused “trouble.” Witnesses reportedly confirmed that his remarks were not a genuine apology.
In her interview with the French online news outlet Mediapart, the victim indicated that the incident severely affected her personal and professional life over the past year and a half, causing insomnia, anxiety attacks, and weight loss. She said the decision to file a complaint came after she heard on television that there had been no incidents during the film’s production.
The allegations also include another woman who claimed Depardieu had touched her buttocks multiple times, resulting in her expressing her disapproval, to which he allegedly responded with insults. This woman was granted a six-day medical leave as a result of the distress caused by the interactions.
Support for Depardieu and Broader Context
Despite these serious allegations, Gérard Depardieu has received support from various figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron. In a recent essay, 56 individuals from the film industry expressed their belief that attacks on Depardieu signify an attack on cinema itself.
This support comes in the wake of a documentary aired by France 2, which implicated Depardieu in inappropriate behavior involving 16 women, including making vulgar gestures and remarks during a trip to North Korea in 2018. In the footage, he was seen engaging in crude behavior in the presence of young girls.
In 2021, following renewed scrutiny of his past, he was charged with rape and sexual assault, which drew attention to earlier allegations made by actress Charlotte Arnould. Depardieu has publicly stated, “I have never, ever abused a woman,” asserting his innocence in the ongoing controversy surrounding his actions.
As the trial continues, France grapples with its own reckoning regarding sexual violence, particularly following the #MeToo movement, which has highlighted several high-profile cases in the cinema industry. Earlier this year, actress Judith Godrèche urged the industry to confront the realities of sexual violence during the César Awards.
As the trial approaches, feminist groups are organizing protests outside the courthouse, advocating for greater awareness and action against sexual violence. Observers note the broader societal implications of this case, especially as other ongoing high-profile trials capturing national attention continue to highlight the urgent need for change in attitudes towards sexual misconduct.
