Gérard Depardieu, 76, one of France’s most iconic actors, is set to stand trial for allegations of sexual assault, marking one of the most significant post-#MeToo legal proceedings in the country.
Accused by two women of assault during the 2021 filming of Les Volets Verts ("The Green Shutters"), this trial will serve as a crucial test of whether France is ready to hold its revered cultural figures accountable for sexual violence.
Gérard Depardieu in 'Les Volets Verts' film
This trial stands out as the first of many allegations against Depardieu to move forward in the legal system, challenging a long-standing culture of silence surrounding powerful figures in French cinema.
Depardieu, 76, is accused of sexually assaulting a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director during filming in 2021. One of the accusers claims Depardieu trapped her with his legs and groped her in front of witnesses.
She further recounted an inappropriate encounter in which Depardieu made explicit comments about his body before allegedly grabbing her forcefully. The second accuser has alleged similar misconduct, both on set and in public, prompting a deeper look into the pervasive issue of sexual assault in French entertainment.
Gérard Depardieu has strongly denied all allegations, calling the accusations "intolerable."
In an open letter published in October 2023, he maintained that he had never abused a woman and described the accusations as baseless. His lawyer, Jérémie Assous, supported this claim, emphasizing that the case is unfounded.
Des collectifs féministes et soutiens aux victimes se rassemblent devant le tribunal de Paris alors que doit s’ouvrir à 13h30 le procès de Gérard Depardieu pour deux agressions sexuelles qu’il aurait commises en 2021 sur un tournage. pic.twitter.com/2zDTQqhlFT
— CLPRESS / Agence de presse (@CLPRESSFR) March 24, 2025
Feminist groups and victim supporters rally outside the Paris courthouse for Gérard Depardieu's trial over alleged 2021 film set sexual assaults.
Depardieu is reportedly in poor health, recently undergoing a quadruple bypass surgery and managing diabetes, and the trial will accommodate his health condition, with breaks scheduled for his wellbeing.
The trial marks a significant moment for the #MeToo movement in France, which has been met with ambivalence and resistance.
While Hollywood witnessed swift repercussions for powerful figures accused of sexual assault, France has been slower to take action, with many dismissing #MeToo as an American import incompatible with French culture.
French public figures, including film director Roman Polanski—convicted in the U.S. for unlawful sex with a minor—continue to hold revered status despite multiple accusations against them. This resistance highlights France's longstanding discomfort in confronting sexual abuse within its cultural elite.
This trial and other recent testimonies shed light on a significant cultural reckoning in French cinema.
Actresses like Judith Godrèche and Adèle Haenel have become outspoken advocates against sexual exploitation, calling for systemic change.
Actresses like Judith Godrèche (Photo: YouTube)
Godrèche's testimony to the French parliament in 2024 revealed her own experiences with sexual abuse as a teenager, underscoring the need for reforms in both the legal system and within the arts.
Survivors like her are pushing for changes to the statute of limitations on child sex crimes and stronger protections for minors in the industry.
The ongoing trial of Gérard Depardieu represents more than a legal case—it signals a cultural shift within France, questioning whether the nation will finally confront its issues of sexual violence, power, and impunity.
While resistance to reform persists, the testimonies of survivors are gaining political attention, and voices like Godrèche's are pushing for necessary changes to protect future generations of artists.
As France grapples with the legacy of figures like Depardieu and Polanski, the #MeToo movement’s influence continues to grow, signaling that cultural norms may be evolving, albeit slowly.
