A Paris court has delivered a guilty verdict against veteran French actor Gérard Depardieu on charges of sexual assault. The 76-year-old performer was handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence for incidents involving two women during the production of a 2021 film.
The conviction stems from accusations that Depardieu inappropriately touched two female crew members on the set of “Les Volets Verts.” In court testimony, one of the women, a set designer, described being trapped and groped by the actor in a corridor, an experience she said left her terrified and traumatized. Her legal representative argued that the actor had long exploited a position of power, with his conduct overlooked due to his stature in the film industry.
During the proceedings, Depardieu’s defense was marked by contradiction; he first denied the physical contact before altering his account. He also made the claim that he did not understand the definition of sexual assault.
This ruling represents a significant legal reckoning for the actor, who faces a separate trial later this year on a rape charge dating back to 2018. Approximately twenty other women have also come forward in recent years with allegations of misconduct against him.
The conviction stands in contrast to the initial support Depardieu received from some high-profile figures in France when allegations first surfaced publicly. The case has reignited discussions about accountability and the influence of celebrity within the French cinema world.
