Gérard Depardieu's sexual assault trial set to begin

Gérard Depardieu, a prominent French actor, has recently found himself in a courtroom facing serious allegations of sexual assault. At the age of 76, Depardieu is accused of having sexually abused two women during the filming of a movie in 2021. According to prosecutors, he made inappropriate sexual comments and then proceeded to aggressively touch two members of the production team. If he is convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to five years and a hefty fine that could reach €75,000, which is equivalent to about £63,000 or $81,000. This trial marks the first time that Depardieu has been brought to court for such accusations, although it is worth noting that around 20 women have come forward with claims of improper behavior against him. This case is particularly significant as it places Depardieu, a high-profile figure in French cinema, at the center of the ongoing #MeToo movement, which seeks to address and combat sexual misconduct. On the day of the trial, a number of protesters gathered outside the courthouse in Paris, many of whom held signs supporting victims of sexual assault and chanted slogans advocating for women's rights. Depardieu has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he has never harmed a woman. In a statement, he expressed that hurting a woman would be akin to 'kicking my mother in the stomach. ' He further claimed that he is 'neither a rapist nor a predator' and lamented that he is facing a 'trial by media and lynching. ' His lawyer, Jérémie Assous, stated that Depardieu is 'extremely affected' by the upcoming trial but is determined to let the truth come to light. Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, the lawyer representing one of the plaintiffs, expressed that there is a sense of fear among the women involved, as they are up against a 'cinema giant. ' She described the situation as a struggle between David and Goliath, noting that the plaintiffs are concerned about potential retaliation since they all work in the film industry but are not as established as Depardieu. The trial was initially scheduled to begin late last year but was postponed due to Depardieu's health issues. His lawyer has mentioned that the actor underwent quadruple bypass surgery, suffers from diabetes, and becomes exhausted very quickly. However, a medical expert has now deemed him fit to stand trial, and he is expected to appear in court on Monday and Tuesday, although he will be allowed frequent breaks. The first woman to file a criminal complaint against Depardieu was Charlotte Arnould in 2018, and an investigation is still ongoing. Despite the growing number of allegations against him, Depardieu, a towering figure in French cinema, has received considerable support from some members of the artistic community in France. A group of over 50 actors, directors, and producers, including notable figures like Charlotte Rampling and Carla Bruni, issued a letter in 2023 stating that the accusations against Depardieu represent 'an attack on art itself. ' In the same year, French President Emmanuel Macron faced backlash for his comments, referring to Depardieu as 'a great actor' who 'made France proud. ' Many campaigners argued that such remarks undermine efforts to protect women from violence. Actress Léa Seydoux criticized Macron's statements, calling them 'crazy' and asserting that they project a very negative image of France. The trial is set to take place on Monday and Tuesday, with a verdict expected to be announced in the coming weeks.