Gerard Depardieu, the renowned 76-year-old French actor, has been found guilty of groping a 54-year-old set dresser during the filming of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters). The verdict comes as part of a broader scrutiny of how the French film industry addresses sexual misconduct allegations in a post-#MeToo environment. A ruling on another accuser will be announced later today.
Depardieu, who has long denied the allegations, has previously stated that he is “not like that.” During a four-day trial, although he acknowledged using vulgar language and briefly touching the set dresser’s hips during an argument, he asserted that his actions were not sexual in nature.
In court, the set dresser recounted the alleged assault, describing how the actor cornered her in a narrow corridor, groped her, and made explicit requests. Another woman accused him of similar inappropriate behaviour involving groping during three separate incidents. Despite these claims, the Associated Press has not identified the women due to privacy considerations, as neither has consented to be named.
The prosecutor has requested an 18-month suspended prison sentence alongside a €20,000 fine, criticising Depardieu’s complete denial of the accusations and lack of self-reflection. Yet, some members of the French cinema community, including actors Vincent Perez and Fanny Ardant, have publicly supported him during the trial.
Depardieu’s career spans over 250 films, earning him acclaim, including an Oscar nomination for his role in Cyrano de Bergerac. However, he has faced allegations of sexual misconduct from more than 20 women, although many cases were either dropped or did not lead to court prosecution. A notable case from 2018 involving allegations of rape by actor Charlotte Arnould remains ongoing, with prosecutors seeking to advance it to trial.
Throughout his extensive career, Depardieu has been celebrated for his diverse roles and commanding performances in French cinema. Nevertheless, these legal troubles mark a stark contrast to his previous public persona, as the industry grapples with longstanding issues of misconduct.