On Tuesday, a Parisian court convicted French actor Gérard Depardieu of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021, meting out an 18-month suspended prison sentence. This ruling marked a stunning downfall for a giant of French cinema, who had dominated the silver screen for over five decades.
In one of France's most high-profile #MeToo cases to reach the judiciary, Depardieu steadfastly denied any misconduct, with his lawyer vowing to appeal the court's decision. The 76-year-old actor, who has starred in more than 200 films, including notable works like "Green Card," "The Last Metro," and "Cyrano de Bergerac," found himself at the center of a reckoning for the #MeToo movement against sexual violence.
While the movement has garnered less momentum in France compared to the United States, the trial served as a pivotal moment, hinting at shifting social attitudes. One of the plaintiffs, Amelie K., a 54-year-old set decorator, recounted how Depardieu had groped her all over her body, pinning her between his legs and making lewd comments on set in 2021. "I was terrified, and he was laughing," she revealed in court.
Depardieu, who disputed the sexual assault allegations, argued that he did not consider placing a hand on someone's buttocks as sexual assault and suggested that some women were overly sensitive. Presiding Judge Thierry Donard, delivering the sentence, stated that Depardieu seemed unaware of the concept of consent and the detrimental, traumatic impacts of his actions on the women he assaulted. Notably absent for the verdict, Depardieu was ordered to be included on a register of sex offenders.
The Depardieu trial has prominently featured in the French debate surrounding the #MeToo movement, amid a surge of sexual assault allegations against him that shed light on the treatment of women in the film industry. Prosecutors have indicated that he could face trial in a separate rape investigation initiated by actress Charlotte Arnould, 29, who stated she could no longer remain silent.
Over a dozen women have accused Depardieu of sexual violence, although not all have filed formal complaints. He has categorically denied any wrongdoing, writing in an open letter published in Le Figaro newspaper in October 2023, "Never, absolutely never, have I abused a woman."
The trial exposed a generational divide in France concerning sexism. Earlier in the investigation, a group of 50 French celebrities, including Carla Bruni, wife of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, decried what they termed the "lynching" of Depardieu. Brigitte Bardot, 90, added fuel to the fire by stating on BFM TV this week that talented individuals who grope women are unfairly cast aside.
However, women's rights advocates note a shift in attitudes, particularly following the landmark case of Gisele Pelicot, whose ex-husband was convicted last year of orchestrating her gang-rape after drugging her. "It's truly a victory and a step forward. We're making progress," Amelie K. told reporters after the verdict, reflecting a burgeoning sense of justice and hope for change in France.
