French actor Gerard Depardieu is set to appear in a Paris criminal court on Monday in a case involving allegations of sexual assault from two women who worked with him on a film set in 2021. Depardieu, 75, has been accused of inappropriate touching and making obscene remarks, though he denies the allegations, claiming the accusations are false. The incidents allegedly took place during the filming of Les Volets Verts. A production designer accused Depardieu of groping her and making indecent remarks, an allegation prosecutors say three others witnessed. A director's assistant also accused Depardieu of inappropriate touching leading to verbal confrontations.
The case unfolds as France grapples with sexual violence issues, spurred by the #MeToo movement. Some French performers have defended Depardieu, suggesting that targeting him undermines cinematic art. But despite some support for Depardieu, including from French President Emmanuel Macron, the accusations have ignited controversy. Depardieu was previously charged with rape and sexual assault in 2021.
Depardieu's situation mirrors broader concerns in France's film industry about addressing sexual violence. During this year's Cesar Awards ceremony, actor Judith Godrèche called on the industry to confront abuse issues. Her previous allegations against prominent filmmakers highlighted ongoing challenges. Parallel to Depardieu's case, France faces another high-profile rape trial of 50 men, fueling nationwide protests by feminist groups. They plan to demonstrate outside the courthouse ahead of the trial, advocating for victims' justice. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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