French actor Gérard Depardieu, France’s most well-known male actor, is already in the dock in Paris accused of raping two women working on the 2021 production of the film Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters). It is a moment of France’s cultural reflection regarding sexual violence, especially during the post-#MeToo era.
The Allegations
Gérard Depardieu, aged 76, is accused of groping a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director during the making of the film. Prosecutors describe the actions as followed by lewd comments and inappropriate touching, and one woman alleges Depardieu spread his legs and rubbed her down in public. The two women complained officially, and their names were withheld to protect them from publicity.
Depardieu’s Response
All the charges have been rejected by the actor who has stated that he is innocent in an open letter that he wrote and featured in Le Figaro in October 2023. He averred, “Never, but never, have I abused a woman,” and again stated that such allegations are not acceptable to him. His attorney, Jérémie Assous, has considered the case as unfounded, stating that Depardieu continues to defend himself before the court.
Health and Trial Proceedings
The trial in October 2024 was delayed since Depardieu was not healthy, having undergone a quadruple heart bypass and being diabetic. One of the two physicians the court nominated signed that he was healthy enough to be tried, and the trial would take two days, with time taken for his condition.
Cultural Significance
This trial is less about Gérard Depardieu charges, but also France’s challenge to try great cultural players. The French movie business has lagged behind other industries in its reaction to the #MeToo movement, culturally pushing back against free speech and convention. This case can be the watershed as much as how these sorts of issues are handled in France.
As the trial goes on, it will be observed not just for its legal consequences, but also for its far-reaching implications for sexual violence and accountability in French culture. The Depardieu affair is an intersection in the current controversy surrounding power, privilege, and justice in the entertainment industry.
