French Actor Faces Sexual Assault Charges in Landmark Case

French Actor Gerard Depardieu Faces Sexual Assault Charges in Court

French actor Gerard Depardieu, 76, is facing a French court today on charges of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021. This is the first time one of the over 20 accusations of sexual misconduct against him has gone to trial.

The plaintiffs, a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director, have not been publicly identified to protect their privacy. The set dresser alleges that Depardieu made sexually offensive comments to her before grabbing her and having to be pulled away by bodyguards. The assistant director alleges she was groped both on set and in the street.

Depardieu's lawyer has called the case baseless and stated that Depardieu will attend the two-day trial, with breaks scheduled to accommodate his health condition.

This trial is the most prominent post-MeToo-era case in France, testing whether the country is prepared to hold its cultural icons accountable for sexual misconduct. It comes at a time when France is grappling with how to address sexual violence, particularly when committed by powerful figures.

The trial follows the widely publicized case of Dominique Pelicot, who was found guilty of repeatedly drugging and raping his then-wife Gisèle for almost a decade. This case forced France to confront the issue of how to protect the rights and safety of women amidst a culture of seduction and flirtation.

The Depardieu trial will ask questions about France's willingness to hold to account those in its society who have historically been protected. It will also be a test of whether the country's rape laws, which do not explicitly mention the need for consent, need to be updated.