Gérard Depardieu Found Guilty of Sexual Assault, Receives Suspended Jail Sentence
Paris, France — French film star Gérard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of Les Volets Verts (“The Green Shutters”) in 2021. The 76-year-old actor was sentenced to an 18-month suspended prison term by a Paris court, which also placed him on France’s sex offender registry.
The Allegations
Depardieu was accused of groping two women, a set designer named Amélie, 54, and an assistant director named Sarah, 34. Amélie testified that Depardieu, after a minor argument, caught her between his legs and grabbed her by the hips. Sarah, on the other hand, accused the actor of touching her breasts and buttocks on three separate occasions during filming.
The court ruled in favor of the victims, citing their consistent testimonies and rejecting Depardieu’s defense, which claimed any physical contact was accidental or made to maintain his balance.
A Major Verdict in the French Film Industry
The conviction marks Depardieu’s first for sexual assault, though other women have previously come forward with accusations. The ruling comes at a significant moment, just hours before the Cannes Film Festival is set to open, underscoring the growing scrutiny of powerful figures in the French film industry amid the #MeToo movement.
The judge awarded €1,000 in compensation to each victim for “secondary victimisation” — a legal provision that recognizes the additional harm caused by the trial process itself.
Depardieu’s Response
The actor denied the charges, claiming that his name had been “dragged through the mud” by false accusations. Depardieu was not present for the verdict, as he was filming on a set in the Azores, where he is working on a new project with long-time friend and actress Fanny Ardant, who spoke in his defense during the trial.
Depardieu’s legal team has announced plans to appeal the conviction, vowing to fight the ruling.
Industry and Public Reactions
The ruling has sparked a range of reactions, with some in the French film community defending Depardieu. Fanny Ardant referred to him as a man of both “genius and danger,” acknowledging his complex character. Another French icon, Brigitte Bardot, 90, expressed her disapproval of the case, stating that “talented people who touch the buttocks of a girl are consigned to the deepest dungeon.” Bardot also dismissed the #MeToo movement, declaring, “Feminism isn’t my thing.”
These reactions reflect the ongoing cultural divide in France regarding the treatment of powerful men in the arts and the growing call for accountability in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations.
Legal and Social Implications
The verdict is seen as a “victory for all women”, according to Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, the lawyer representing the victims. The case could pave the way for further legal challenges against Depardieu, who is also facing allegations in a separate rape case that may go to trial.
This ruling underscores that no one is above the law, not even one of France’s most celebrated film icons, signaling a turning point in the nation’s approach to sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry.
What’s Next for Depardieu?
It remains unclear whether Depardieu will continue his career in the spotlight following the trial. Despite the allegations, he has resumed work on film projects, including his role in Ardant’s upcoming movie. However, with the conviction hanging over him, the actor’s future in French cinema may be uncertain, as the public and industry await his next moves.
As the case closes, the broader implications for the film industry, particularly regarding accountability and the treatment of women, will continue to unfold in the coming years.