Gérard Depardieu, the renowned French actor, faces serious sexual assault allegations. As his trial was set to commence in Paris, his lawyer has requested a delay citing health issues. These are the accusations, the #MeToo movement in French cinema, and the implications of the case.
- Gérard Depardieu has postponed his court date
- He is embattled with abuse allegations
- THIS is what his attorneys claim
Gérard Depardieu's Legal Battle: A Postponement
Gérard Depardieu, a stalwart of French cinema, is embroiled in a legal battle over sexual assault charges. The 75-year-old actor was due to appear in a Paris court on Monday, but his lawyer has confirmed a request for a postponement due to health constraints.
"Gérard Depardieu is extremely affected and unfortunately his doctors have forbidden him from being present at the hearing, which is why he will ask for a postponement to a later date so that he can attend," Jérémie Assous told Franceinfo.
The charges stem from incidents during the filming of 'Les Volets Verts' in 2021, where Depardieu allegedly sexually assaulted two women. Despite the trial's delay, the hearing is set to proceed, with the actor's questioning and verdict deferred.
Depardieu, an icon with over 200 films to his name, has faced accusations of inappropriate behavior on set. The allegations include aggressive groping and making explicit sexual remarks. In a public letter last year, he vehemently denied these claims, asserting, "Never, but never, have I abused a woman."
The case has gained significant attention, marking Depardieu as the most prominent figure in French cinema to be implicated in the #MeToo movement, which gained momentum in 2017 following revelations about Harvey Weinstein.
Voices Against Depardieu
The names of the accusers remain undisclosed. One, a set designer, reported enduring sexual assault and harassment during the filming of 'Les Volets Verts.' Her lawyer, Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, emphasized the need for equality before the law, stating, "I expect the justice system to be the same for everybody and for Monsieur Depardieu not to receive special treatment just because he’s an artist."
Depardieu's defense, led by Assous, plans to present evidence countering the accusations, suggesting financial motives behind the claims. The set designer alleged Depardieu made lewd comments and physically assaulted her on set, with bodyguards intervening during the incident.
The allegations have sparked reactions within the industry. Anouk Grinberg, who worked with Depardieu on the film described his behavior as consistently inappropriate. She remarked, "When producers hired Depardieu to work on a film, they knew they were hiring an assaulter."
Depardieu faces multiple accusations, with about 20 women alleging various sexual offenses. The actor Charlotte Arnould was the first to file a criminal complaint, with an ongoing investigation into other claims, including an incident from 2014.
The case has also drawn commentary from French President Emmanuel Macron, who controversially described the situation as a "manhunt" against Depardieu, whom he praised as a "towering actor."
The plaintiff told the French investigative website Mediapart that Depardieu had started loudly calling for a cooling fan during the shoot because he "couldn’t even get it up" in the heat.
She claimed the actor went on to boast that he could "give women an orgasm without touching them". The plaintiff alleged that an hour later she was "brutally grabbed" by Depardieu as she was walking off the set. The actor pinned her by "closing his legs" around her before groping her waist and her stomach, continuing up to her breasts, she said.
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Depardieu's case is part of a broader reckoning in French cinema, where several high-profile figures, including directors Jacques Doillon and Benoît Jacquot, face similar accusations. The movement has prompted discussions on accountability and the culture within the industry.
