French actor Gerard Depardieu on trial for sexual assault – DW – 28/10/2024

French film star Gerard Depardieu was due to appear before a criminal court in Paris on Monday on charges of sexually assaulting two women while filming a 2021 film.

The 75-year-old, who is accused of using “violence, coercion, surprise or threats” in the alleged attacks, also faces further appeals and a possible second trial.

However, Depardieu’s lawyer said that he asked for a postponement due to his health.

“Gérard Depardieu is very shocked and unfortunately his doctors have forbidden him to attend the hearing, so he will ask for a postponement so that he can attend,” Jeremy Asus told Franceinfo.

What are the charges against the actor?

The prosecutor’s office claims that the attacks took place on the set of the movie “Green Shutters”.

The victims in both reported that Depardieu pinned them between his legs and groped them in private parts over their clothes.

Paris prosecutors say one plaintiff told investigators she first heard lewd remarks on set from Depardieu.

An hour later, the woman said that she was “brutally grabbed” by Depardieu as she walked off the set.

He allegedly pinned her down by “locking his legs” before touching her waist and stomach, continuing to her breasts.

During the incident, according to her, Depardieu made “obscene remarks.”

Prosecutors said three people witnessed the incident, confirming that the woman struggled to escape Depardieu’s grasp and that she appeared “shocked”.

Depardieu denied the accusations.

About 20 women accuse Depardieu

Now about 20 women have accused Depardieu of various sexual crimes, and actress Charlotte Arnoux was the first to file a criminal case.

Arnaud, now 28, filed a criminal complaint against Depardieu in August 2018, alleging that he raped her twice that month at his Paris home, claims Depardieu also denies.

While investigators dismissed the complaint for lack of evidence in 2019, Arnold sought a retrial.

In August, the prosecutor’s office called to bring the actor to court for these charges.

French President Emmanuel Macron has come to Depardieu’s defense, saying he remains a “tall actor” who is being “persecuted”. Meanwhile, dozens of celebrities put their names under the opinion in defense of the actor on the website of the French newspaper. Le Figaro.

The belated #MeToo wave in France

Depardieu is the most high-profile figure to face accusations in the French cinema world’s version of the #MeToo movement, which was accelerated in 2017 by allegations against American producer Harvey Weinstein.

This movement has only recently begun to take hold of French cinema, with famous directors Jacques Douillon and Benoit Jacot also accused of sexual abuse.

Depardieu’s career includes more than 200 films, making him one of the most famous French faces in world cinema.

He starred in adaptations of classic works of French literature, such as Cyrano de Bergerac and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.

Also, in the early 90s, the actor made a foray into Hollywood with such projects as “Green Card” and “1492”.

Sexual violence against women is also increasingly in the spotlight in France amid the trial of a man who drugged his wife and allowed dozens of co-accused to rape her.

The case caused horror and sparked protests and debates about male violence in French society.

rc/wd (AFP, AP, Reuters)