Renowned French actor Gérard Depardieu has been convicted of sexual assault against two women during a film shoot in Paris, receiving an 18-month suspended prison sentence. The 76-year-old film star faced allegations of groping his co-workers while filming in 2021, claims that he has consistently denied.
Details of the trial and accusations
The court found one of the plaintiffs, a set designer named Amélie, to have provided credible testimony, contrasting with Depardieu’s shifting accounts. Additionally, he was found guilty of assaulting an assistant director named Sarah. Notably absent from the courtroom during the verdict, Depardieu was reported to be working on a film set in the Azores.
The incidents in question took place in September 2021 while Depardieu was shooting “Les Volets Verts” (The Green Shutters), a film that explores an aging actor grappling with his diminishing abilities. This trial marks the first time Depardieu has faced sexual assault charges. Reports indicate that multiple women have made similar accusations against him, and a separate alleged rape case may proceed to trial in the future.
Prosecution’s stance and defense arguments
During closing arguments, prosecutor Laurent Guy emphasized the importance of evaluating the case based on the evidence rather than the actor’s celebrity status, stating:
“It’s perfectly possible to be an excellent actor and a great father – and still commit a crime.”
He requested an 18-month suspended sentence, along with a fine of €20,000 and mandatory registration on the sex-offenders’ list.
Claude Vincent, who represented one of the plaintiffs, criticized Depardieu, labeling him a “misogynist” and a “case-study in sexism.” In contrast, defense attorney Jérémie Assous called for an acquittal, arguing that the plaintiffs appeared to be more activists than legal representatives. He claimed, “They cannot bear that there should even be a defence. They think any defence is a supplementary assault.”
In testimonies, Amélie recounted an incident following a minor dispute, where she claimed Depardieu cornered her and held her by the hips. Sarah described multiple occasions where the actor allegedly touched her buttocks and breasts inappropriately. Depardieu countered these claims by suggesting any contact was accidental or a means of maintaining his balance.
Reflecting on the trial’s impact, Depardieu remarked:
“My name has been dragged through the mud by lies and insults. A trial can be a very special experience for an actor. Seeing all this anger, the police, the press. It’s like being in a science fiction film, except it’s not science fiction. It’s life.”
He expressed gratitude towards both the prosecution and defense for providing insights into legal proceedings, joking that these experiences might inspire future roles.
Despite the allegations clouding his career, reports surfaced earlier this month indicating that Depardieu had resumed acting in the Azores, playing a magician in a project directed by his friend, actress Fanny Ardant, who also defended him during the trial. She described Depardieu as embodying both the “monster and the saint” of artistic genius.
In a rare television interview, fellow actress Brigitte Bardot, 90, voiced her support for Depardieu, lamenting the harsh consequences faced by talented individuals for supposed minor transgressions: “Feminism isn’t my thing. Personally, I like men.”