Famed French actor Gérard Depardieu, long celebrated as one of France’s most iconic cinema figures, was convicted Tuesday of sexually assaulting two women on a Paris film set in 2021. The 76-year-old actor, who denied all wrongdoing, was handed an 18-month suspended sentence by a French court. He did not appear in court for the verdict as he is currently filming in Portugal, according to his legal team.
The charges stem from separate incidents that occurred during the filming of Les Volets Verts (“The Green Shutters”) in August and September 2021. Two women, identified as a 34-year-old set decorator and a 54-year-old assistant producer named Amélie, accused Depardieu of groping them without consent.
“Justice Was Served”
After the sentencing, Amélie, speaking to reporters, expressed a sense of closure. “I am deeply moved. I’m very happy with this decision,” she said. “It is a victory for me, a step forward. Justice was served, I feel.”
Despite the ruling, Depardieu’s legal counsel, Jérémie Assous, dismissed the allegations as fabrications and confirmed plans to appeal the verdict. “Gérard Depardieu is someone who is very free, who can be extremely direct,” Assous said, implying that his client’s behavior was misunderstood rather than criminal.
A Delayed Case Prompted by Public Denial
While the incidents occurred in 2021, neither of the women initially reported the alleged assaults. It wasn’t until Depardieu published an open letter in Le Figaro in October 2023—insisting “Never, never have I abused a woman”—that the set decorator came forward, filing a formal complaint that included allegations of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexist remarks.
The case officially opened in October 2023 but faced delays due to Depardieu’s reported health issues. His attorney revealed that the actor had undergone quadruple bypass heart surgery and is diabetic. Medical professionals eventually cleared him to stand trial, albeit with strict limitations on courtroom sessions—no more than six hours per day, with breaks every 15 minutes if needed.
Actor Denies Allegations
During a court appearance in March, Depardieu defended himself passionately. “I don’t see why I would grope a woman, her buttocks, her breasts,” he said. “I’m not somebody who rubs himself up against people on the metro.” He portrayed himself as someone misrepresented by the accusations.
Broader Context: Sexism and Accountability in French Cinema
The trial has reignited debate over sexism and the treatment of women in the French film industry. Outside the courthouse, dozens of protesters, many of them women, demanded accountability and systemic reform. Holding signs that read, “Victims, we believe you” and “Touch one, you answer to all,” demonstrators called for the end of what they see as a culture of impunity for powerful men in cinema.
Depardieu’s conviction is seen by many activists as a long-overdue moment of justice, not just for the two women in this case, but for others who have made similar accusations against him and for victims of sexual misconduct more broadly.
Depardieu’s Tumultuous Public Persona
Depardieu’s recent notoriety has overshadowed his once-celebrated film career. Although acclaimed for roles in Cyrano de Bergerac, Green Card, and The Last Metro, his personal controversies have dominated headlines for years.
Over a dozen women from the film industry have publicly accused him of inappropriate behavior, though most of the claims cannot be tried under French law due to statutes of limitations.
Beyond his legal battles, Depardieu’s political and financial choices have also sparked criticism. In 2012, he famously left France for Belgium amid disputes over high tax rates. A year later, he accepted Russian citizenship from President Vladimir Putin—a move that drew global attention and controversy. He later also became a citizen of Dubai.
What’s Next?
With his legal team pursuing an appeal, the case against Depardieu is far from over. If the conviction stands, the suspended sentence means Depardieu will avoid jail time but may face stricter consequences if found guilty of further offenses.
The verdict also sends a message that even figures of immense stature and global fame are not immune to legal accountability, particularly in an era when movements like #MeToo continue to shape public and legal discourse in France and beyond.
User-Intent Summary:
Gérard Depardieu was convicted of sexually assaulting two women on a 2021 film set and given an 18-month suspended sentence. While he plans to appeal, the case is a landmark moment for accountability in French cinema. The trial has highlighted systemic issues of sexism and impunity in the industry and raised broader questions about how societies reckon with abuse of power, even among cultural icons.
