Gérard Depardieu Found Guilty of Sexual Assault in Paris Court

PARIS, France — French actor Gérard Depardieu was found guilty of sexual assault by a Paris court on Tuesday. The court sentenced the 76-year-old to an 18-month suspended prison term for assaulting two women during the filming of “Les Volets Verts” in September 2021.

Depardieu was accused of groping a 54-year-old set designer and a 34-year-old assistant director. The court ruled that one of his victims, a set decorator named Amélie, provided consistent testimony, while Depardieu’s accounts changed over time. He was not present in court, as he was working on another film set in the Azores.

The trial was significant in a post-#MeToo context for France, where the film industry has been scrutinized for handling sexual misconduct allegations. Prosecutor Laurent Guy stated, “It is possible to be a talented artist and still commit a crime,” urging the court to deliver justice rather than judge French cinema.

Claude Vincent, representing Amélie, described Depardieu as a “misogynist” and deemed the actor’s behavior a case study in sexism. The defense attorney, Jérémie Assous, argued for an acquittal, asserting that the plaintiffs were driven by more than legal motives.

During the trial, Amélie testified that Depardieu trapped her between his legs and forcibly groped her, recounting how he held her hips and commented in a vulgar manner. The second plaintiff, Sarah, described similar incidents of being assaulted.

Depardieu has steadfastly denied the accusations, claiming any contact was accidental. He characterized the trial as a torturous experience, stating his reputation had been tarnished by what he called lies.

Additionally, the outcome of other allegations against the actor remains uncertain, with another rape case still pending. Despite the conviction, some members of the French cinema community, including Fanny Ardant and Vincent Perez, voiced their support for him during the trial.

Following the guilty verdict, the social implications of this trial in the French film industry may lead to broader discussions regarding sexual misconduct and accountability.