The renowned French actor Gérard Depardieu is currently facing serious allegations of sexual assault, as he stands trial in Paris’s criminal court. The accusations involve an assistant director who has claimed that Depardieu assaulted her on three separate occasions while working on the film Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters) in 2021. This case marks a significant moment in the French cinema landscape, as Depardieu is one of the most prominent figures in the industry to be implicated in such allegations since the rise of the MeToo movement.
The assistant director, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, testified that Depardieu’s actions left her feeling “petrified.” She described the first incident occurring during a night shoot in Paris when she found herself alone with the actor. As they walked towards an outdoor set, she claimed to have felt his hand on her buttocks, describing the encounter as shocking and unexpected. “I didn’t know how to react … I carried on as if nothing had happened, kept walking to the set. I had a knot in my stomach,” she recounted.
The second assault allegedly took place inside a Paris apartment, where Depardieu reportedly blocked her path against a door and touched her breasts. “I said no. I was scared,” she stated in court. On a third occasion, she again resisted his advances when he placed his hand on her buttocks, asserting her discomfort by saying, “No.” Throughout the filming, the assistant director noted that Depardieu made lewd comments, creating an uncomfortable and unhealthy environment on set.
The assistant director expressed feelings of shame and anxiety due to the incidents, which she initially kept to herself to avoid complications with her job. However, she eventually confided in her superior about the assaults. Following this revelation, she described Depardieu’s retaliatory behavior on set, including shouting at her and labeling her a “snitch.” She reported feeling immense stress and guilt, stating, “On the set, I felt huge anxiety, stress, shame, guilt; it was very difficult.”
In response to the allegations, Gérard Depardieu has firmly denied any wrongdoing. “I deny all of it,” he stated during the trial. He insisted, “I did not touch her buttocks, I did not touch her breasts, I did none of that,” emphasizing that he is not someone who engages in such behavior. He claimed that he has health issues that prevent him from being alone and suggested that the assistant director may have misconstrued his reputation for being “vulgar” and “crude.”
Depardieu further explained that he requested a male assistant to accompany him to avoid shocking women with his lewd comments. He dismissed the seriousness of the allegations, stating, “A sexual assault is more serious than that, I think,” and expressed uncertainty about the definition of sexual assault itself.
The trial is ongoing, and the assistant director has expressed her desire for the truth to be acknowledged and for the incidents not to be minimized. The legal proceedings could lead to significant repercussions for Depardieu, who faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 (£63,000) if convicted.
This case not only highlights the challenges women face in the film industry but also serves as a critical moment in the ongoing conversation about sexual assault and accountability in the entertainment world. As the trial continues, the eyes of the public and the media remain focused on the proceedings.
