French actor Gerard Depardieu is set to face trial in Paris today and tomorrow (March 24 and 25) on charges of sexual assault. Originally scheduled for October 28, the trial was postponed due to the actor’s health.
Depardieu is facing two alleged sexual assault charges stemming from incidents during the filming of “The Green Shutters” in the South of France in August and September 2021. Taken into police custody on April 29, 2024, he was summoned to appear before the criminal court in October.
With a career spanning over 150 films, including iconic works like “Cyrano de Bergerac,” Depardieu faces the possibility of five years in prison and a €75,000 fine if found guilty. The accusations come from two women who worked on the film as a set decorator and assistant to the director.
The first accuser, Amelie K., claimed that Depardieu sexually assaulted and harassed her during filming, making lewd comments and physically assaulting her in a corridor. The second woman, Engela W., accused Depardieu of inappropriate touching on multiple occasions.
Despite the allegations, Depardieu denies all charges. His attorney, Jérémie Assous, stated that his client is the victim of false accusations and aims to prove his innocence during the trial.
In a separate case, Depardieu has been indicted for rape and sexual assault by actress Charlotte Arnould in 2018. The Paris public prosecutor’s office has requested that he stand trial for the alleged incidents.
The actor has faced previous accusations of sexual misconduct, with 13 women coming forward in a report by French investigative news website Médiapart. Depardieu has vehemently denied all allegations and has been a focal point in the #MeToo movement in France.
As the trial unfolds, the outcome remains uncertain as Depardieu fights to clear his name and maintain his reputation in the industry. The legal proceedings will shed light on the allegations and determine the actor’s fate in the midst of a turbulent chapter in his career.
