- Two women accuse Depardieu of 2021 on-set sexual assaults
- Actor denies charges, claims reputation misunderstanding
- Trial reveals conflicting testimonies about isolated incidents
- Potential 5-year prison sentence if convicted
The high-profile trial of French actor Gérard Depardieu entered its third day with emotional testimony from a 34-year-old production assistant. The accuser described three separate incidents where the 76-year-old actor allegedly groped her buttocks and breasts during filming of 'Les Volets Verts.' Her account detailed frozen reactions to sudden physical contact and subsequent reporting to production managers.
Depardieu's defense team countered that the Oscar-nominated actor maintains constant professional boundaries, citing his ever-present security detail. 'I respect all collaborators,' Depardieu stated in court, acknowledging his history of crude humor but denying any criminal conduct. This follows Tuesday's testimony where he admitted to 'playful' physical contact but rejected sexual intent.
French film industry analysts note this trial occurs amid delayed #MeToo reckoning in local cinema. Unlike Hollywood's rapid response, France's entertainment sector has seen slower adoption of intimacy coordinators and harassment protocols. A 2023 CNC study revealed only 41% of French productions implement formal anti-harassment measures.
The case draws parallels to the 2022 Christophe Ruggia verdict, where the director received a suspended sentence for sexually assaulting actress Adèle Haenel. However, Depardieu's situation presents unique challenges given his international celebrity status and recent Russian citizenship acquisition. Industry unions remain divided on support for accusers versus protecting artistic reputations.
Legal experts emphasize the trial's evidentiary hurdles: no third-party witnesses to alleged assaults and conflicting accounts about workplace interactions. Prosecutors must prove intentional sexual aggression rather than misinterpreted gestures - a complex task under France's penal code. The verdict could influence pending lawsuits against three other French cinema figures.
As streaming platforms tighten content safety standards, this case highlights evolving global expectations for film set conduct. Major studios now require anti-harassment training, but independent European productions often lack equivalent resources. The trial's outcome may accelerate standardization of safety protocols across EU film jurisdictions.
