French actor Gerard Depardieu testified during his trial for sexual assault that he has been informed he possesses “a Russian nature” for his drinking behavior.
On the second day of the trial in a Paris court, Depardieu denied any wrongdoing but acknowledged that some might consider his behavior as coarse.
Depardieu stated, “I’ve always been told I have a Russian nature, I don’t know if it’s due to my drinking or the vulgarity… I’m not touching the bottoms of women.”
The 76-year-old is accused of sexually assaulting two female crew members on the set of the film Les Volets Verts (Green Shutters) in 2021.
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Depardieu trial explained
The anonymous women both claim the actor forced himself on them on multiple occasions, touching them over their clothes, according to court documents.
Speaking in court on Tuesday, Depardieu acknowledged he used crude and heated language around one of the women who accused him of sexual assault, as well as grabbing her hips.
“I understand perfectly if she’s a bit upset,” he said. “I am capable of trash talk… I don’t have to talk like that, get angry like that, voila.”
Depardieu said grabbing the woman’s hips was not ill-intended and added: “She didn’t answer as if I was assaulting her.”
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He has starred in more than 200 films over five decades, winning two best lead actor awards at the Cesars, and being nominated for an Oscar and 15 other Cesars.
