Gerard Depardieu's sexual assault trial opens in Paris

The trial of Gerard Depardieu, a prominent French actor, has commenced in Paris, but he is not present in the courtroom. His lawyer has requested a delay in the proceedings due to health concerns affecting the actor. Depardieu faces serious allegations of sexual assault involving two women during the filming of the 2021 movie 'Les Volets Verts' (The Green Shutters). This case is particularly significant as it represents one of the highest-profile instances related to the #MeToo movement in France. Prosecutors have accused Depardieu of making explicit sexual comments and then aggressively groping two members of the film's production team. If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of up to five years. The 75-year-old actor has denied all charges, asserting in an open letter published last year that he has never 'abused a woman'. The trial began at a criminal court in Paris around 1:30 PM local time. Depardieu's lawyer, Jeremie Assous, informed the media that the actor has been 'deeply affected' by illness and was advised by his doctors not to attend the trial. Assous mentioned that Depardieu wishes to be present and express himself in court, but the trial proceeded without him. This trial is a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement in France, as Depardieu is one of the most recognized figures in French cinema to face such serious accusations. The two women involved, whose identities have not been disclosed, allege that Depardieu made inappropriate sexual remarks and 'violently grabbed' and 'groped' them. In response to these allegations, Depardieu's lawyer has claimed that the accusations are false and suggested that one of the women is attempting to profit from the situation by seeking €30,000 in compensation. Since the allegations came to light, Depardieu's reputation has suffered greatly, and he has not appeared in any films since 2022. Additionally, he is facing another trial next year for allegedly raping actress Charlotte Arnould twice at his home in Paris, which he also denies. Furthermore, more than a dozen other women have accused him of sexual assault. Despite the growing number of allegations against him, Depardieu has received support from some members of the French artistic community. A group of over 50 actors, directors, and producers published a letter stating that the accusations against him represent 'an attack on art itself'. This letter was signed by notable figures such as Charlotte Rampling, Carole Bouquet, Pierre Richard, and singers Carla Bruni and Jacques Dutronc. They expressed their belief that they could not 'remain silent in the face of the lynching that has fallen upon [Depardieu]'. The comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron have also stirred controversy. Last year, he referred to Depardieu as 'the pride of France', which drew criticism from various campaigners who argued that such statements undermine efforts to protect women from violence. Actress Léa Seydoux described Macron's remarks as 'crazy', stating that they portray a very negative image of France. Despite Macron's support for Depardieu, his then-culture minister, Rima Abdul-Malak, indicated that she would consider revoking Depardieu's Legion d'Honneur after footage surfaced of him making inappropriate comments about women in a 2018 documentary filmed in North Korea. This trial is not only a significant event for Depardieu but also a crucial moment for the ongoing discussions surrounding sexual misconduct and accountability in the entertainment industry.