Gérard Depardieu, French cinema legend, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on the set of Les Volets Verts in 2021. The 76-year-old star received his first criminal conviction after a string of assault allegations.
Court Issues Suspended Sentence and Fine
The Paris Correctional Court handed down an 18-month suspended sentence and a €20,000 fine on Tuesday. Prosecutors called the ruling a major win for France’s #MeToo movement, which has struggled to hold powerful men accountable.
‘Assaults Were Indisputable,’ Say Prosecutors
The court found that Depardieu sexually assaulted a 54-year-old set decorator and a 34-year-old assistant director on separate occasions during filming. Witnesses reported the actor groped the women, used lewd language, and engaged in coercive physical behaviour.
“The assaults were indisputable,” said lead prosecutor Camille Rivière, backed by multiple consistent testimonies.
Depardieu, who skipped the court hearing, denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers claimed the accusations were “exaggerated” and argued he misunderstood the meaning of sexual assault. But the court sided firmly with the victims.
France’s #MeToo Moment
The verdict marks a turning point in France’s fight against sexual abuse in the arts – a battle long overshadowed by more progressive moves in the US and UK. The French cultural elite has historically protected its stars, frustrating victims and activists alike.
The trial follows a parliamentary investigation into abuse in the entertainment industry, highlighting systemic failures revealed in the notorious Gisèle Pelicot case.
More Allegations Loom for Depardieu
This conviction isn’t the end for Depardieu. He is still under investigation for separate rape and sexual assault charges filed by actress Charlotte Arnould, dating back to 2018. Prosecutors plan to push that case to trial later this year.
More than 20 women have publicly accused Depardieu of misconduct over the years, though many claims fall outside France’s statute of limitations.
Industry Divided, Public Outraged
- Legal advocate Carine Durrieu-Diebolt hailed the verdict as “a long-overdue victory for victims.”
- But former icon Brigitte Bardot slammed #MeToo as a “witch hunt,” stirring controversy.
Meanwhile, Depardieu’s ongoing work with director Fanny Ardant in Portugal has sparked calls for boycotts from activists.
French Cinema Faces Pressure for Change
The Centre National du Cinéma (CNC) faces mounting demands to review funding for projects involving accused abusers. Advocacy groups want mandatory training, stronger HR safeguards, and whistleblower protections in the film industry.
Legal experts predict the case will embolden more survivors, even as calls grow louder to reform France’s restrictive statute of limitations on sexual offences.
