French cinema icon Gérard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of Les Volets Verts in 2021, marking the veteran actor’s first criminal conviction amid a string of sexual misconduct allegations.
The Paris Correctional Court delivered its verdict Tuesday, sentencing the 76-year-old to an 18-month suspended sentence and a €20,000 fine, in a ruling hailed as a watershed moment for France’s struggling #MeToo movement.
Court Finds Assault “Indisputable”
The court concluded that Depardieu assaulted a 54-year-old set decorator and a 34-year-old assistant director on separate occasions. Witnesses described Depardieu groping the women, using lewd language, and engaging in coercive physical conduct.
“The assaults were indisputable,” said lead prosecutor Camille Rivière, citing multiple corroborating testimonies.
Depardieu, who did not appear in court, denied wrongdoing. His legal team argued that he misunderstood the definition of sexual assault, calling the accusations “exaggerated.” The court, however, upheld both victims’ accounts as credible and consistent.
France’s Me Too Reckoning
The verdict is seen as a turning point in France’s #MeToo era, where progress on sexual misconduct cases has lagged behind the U.S. and UK. France’s cultural elite has long shielded major figures, and critics say systemic barriers have deterred victims from speaking out.
The trial follows growing scrutiny, including a parliamentary commission investigating abuse in the arts, and echoes the fallout from the Gisèle Pelicot case, which revealed widespread industry failures in protecting victims.
What Comes Next for Depardieu?
While this is Depardieu’s first conviction, he remains under investigation for rape and sexual assault charges filed by actor Charlotte Arnould, dating back to 2018. That case is expected to proceed later this year, with prosecutors pushing for trial.
More than 20 women have publicly accused the actor of misconduct over the years, many falling outside the statute of limitations under French law.
Industry Divided, Public Reacts
Reaction has been swift across social media and within the entertainment sector:
- A long-overdue victory for victims,” wrote legal advocate Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, who represented the set decorator.
- Meanwhile, Brigitte Bardot denounced the decision, branding #MeToo a “witch hunt,” as reported by Euronews.
Depardieu’s continued collaboration with director Fanny Ardant in Portugal has stirred controversy, with activists calling for production boycotts.
Implications for French Cinema
The Centre National du Cinéma (CNC) is under pressure to review funding eligibility for productions involving those accused of abuse. Advocacy groups demand mandatory training, stronger HR protocols, and protection for whistleblowers.
Legal experts suggest the case may embolden more survivors, despite limitations in France’s legal framework. Calls to reform the statute of limitations are gaining momentum.
