A French court has delivered a guilty verdict in a closely watched sexual assault case involving a prominent actor. The defendant, Gérard Depardieu, 76, received an 18-month suspended prison sentence for assaults against two women during the production of a 2021 film.
The court found that the actor inappropriately touched two female crew members on the set of “Les Volets Verts.” One of the women, a set designer identified in proceedings as Amélie K, testified that the incident left her “terrified.” She described being trapped and subjected to unwanted physical contact and crude language.
In a statement following the verdict, the plaintiff’s legal counsel emphasized the significance of the ruling, stating it marked a long-overdue accountability. The lawyer argued that the cinematic world had historically turned a blind eye to such conduct due to the individual’s stature and financial influence within the industry. “All are equal before the law,” the attorney noted, highlighting the lasting psychological impact on the victims.
During the trial, the actor’s defense was characterized by denial and contradiction. He initially disputed the accounts before altering his testimony, ultimately claiming a lack of understanding regarding the definition of sexual assault.
This conviction represents only one facet of ongoing legal challenges for the figure. He faces a separate trial later this year on rape charges dating back to 2018, with approximately twenty other women having come forward with similar allegations in recent years.
The verdict stands in contrast to the initial support the actor received from some high-profile quarters when allegations first surfaced. Notably, French President Emmanuel Macron had previously referred to him as a national “pride,” a characterization the president later qualified, stating his comments were intended to underscore a principle of presumed innocence rather than an endorsement of the individual’s conduct.
The case is viewed as a significant moment within the French film industry, testing its response to allegations of abuse and the power dynamics that have long shielded influential figures from consequence.
