Gérard Depardieu, a legendary figure in French cinema, is set to face trial on allegations of sexual abuse within the framework of the #MeToo movement. Scheduled to appear in a Paris court at the end of August, Depardieu stands accused of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of “Les Volets Verts” in 2021. This marks the first time the 76-year-old actor will defend himself against such serious accusations in court, despite having faced numerous allegations of rape or sexual assault from over a dozen women – all of which he denies.

The plaintiffs include a 34-year-old assistant director and a 54-year-old set designer, both of whom accused Depardieu of sexual assault, harassment, and making sexually insulting remarks. These accusations came after Depardieu issued an open letter to Le Figaro in October 2023, classifying the allegations as a “media lynching” and denying any wrongdoing. Six months prior, the investigative website Mediapart had published allegations of sexual violence against Depardieu, pointing to incidents dating back to the early 2000s. Approximately 20 women have accused him of abusive behavior, but some cases have been dropped due to the limitation period for prosecuting such offenses.

Supporting the plaintiffs, actress Anouk Grinberg, who co-starred in “Les Volets Verts,” claimed that Depardieu made suggestive comments throughout the filming.

Initially scheduled for October 2023, the trial was postponed due to Depardieu’s health issues, including a quadruple heart bypass and complications from diabetes. More recently, a court-appointed doctor declared him fit to stand trial, though daily hearings will be limited to six hours, allowing for breaks as necessary.

Depardieu’s lawyer, Jérémie Assous, has stated that the actor denies all accusations in their entirety. Despite #MeToo’s impact, the movement has encountered a slower reception in France, highlighted by Judith Godrèche’s speech at the César awards last year. Godrèche, who accused two directors of raping her as a teenager, lamented the “omertà” or code of silence surrounding abuse in French cinema.

This high-profile trial underscores a pivotal moment for addressing sexual abuse allegations in the French film industry, reflecting broader movements across the globe to hold individuals accountable and foster a safer environment for women.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/23/gerard-depardieu-to-appear-in-paris-court-over-sexual-assault-allegations