PARIS: French actor Gérard Depardieu is facing trial over alleged sexual assaults on a movie set in 2021.
The trial, delayed for months due to his health, began Monday in a Paris courtroom.
Depardieu, 76, arrived in a black suit, smiling while leaning on his lawyer’s shoulder.
The actor allegedly assaulted two women while filming Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters).
Prosecutors claim he used force, coercion, and threats, trapping victims between his legs and groping them.
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Depardieu has starred in over 240 films, making him a well-known French cinema figure.
He gained international fame with movies like Green Card and The Man in the Iron Mask.
His 1991 role in Cyrano de Bergerac earned him an Oscar nomination.
Despite his success, his career is now overshadowed by multiple assault accusations.
A separate case involves rape allegations from actress Charlotte Arnould, dating back to 2018.
Denial and Defense
Depardieu denies all charges, stating, “Never have I abused a woman.”
In October 2023, he compared harming women to hurting his own mother.
His remarks were published in the French newspaper Le Figaro.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the allegations a “manhunt,” sparking backlash.
Former President François Hollande criticized Macron, saying women’s voices should come first.
Backlash and Investigations
Macron later clarified his stance, saying the presumption of innocence must be respected.
Journalist Marine Turchi has documented testimonies from over 20 women.
Some allegations date back to 1985 but fall under the statute of limitations.
Turchi highlighted abuse of power in the French film industry.
She noted that speaking out can endanger careers in the country’s smaller film sector.
Tax Controversy
Depardieu moved to Belgium’s Néchin in 2013, supposedly for tax reasons.
The town initially honored him, but revoked his title in 2023.
Authorities suspect he never lived there and used the residence to evade French taxes.
Last month, investigators searched properties in France and Belgium.
His lawyer claims authorities have been unsuccessfully trying to prove tax fraud for years.
Legal Consequences
Depardieu’s trial is expected to last two days.
A verdict will be announced in the coming weeks.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.
He could also be fined €75,000 ($81,000).
The case has reignited debates on accountability in the film industry.
