Gerard Depardieu is set to stand trial in Paris on Monday in one of France’s most high-profile #MeToo cases, facing two allegations of sexual assault.
The French actor is accused of assaulting two women while filming the 2021 movie Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters).
Prosecutors allege that Depardieu made explicit sexual comments and then aggressively “groped” two production team members. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
The 75-year-old actor denies the allegations, asserting in an open letter last year that he has “never abused a woman.” His lawyer requested a trial delay on Monday morning, citing health concerns.
“Gerard Depardieu is extremely affected and unfortunately his doctors have forbid him from being present at the hearing, which is why he will ask for a postponement to a later date so that he can attend”, Jeremie Assous told local media.
The trial represents a significant moment for France’s #MeToo movement, as Gerard Depardieu becomes the most prominent figure in French cinema to face sexual assault accusations.
The two women involved, whose identities remain undisclosed, allege that Depardieu made sexual remarks toward them and “violently grabbed” and “groped” them.
Depardieu’s lawyer has refuted the claims, labeling them “false accusations” and asserting, according to Le Monde, that one of the women sought €30,000 ($32,500; £25,000) in compensation for financial gain.
Since these allegations emerged, Depardieu has largely been ostracized from the film industry, with no film appearances since 2022.
He also faces a second trial next year on charges of raping actress Charlotte Arnould at his Paris home, which he denies. Additionally, over a dozen other women have accused Depardieu of sexual assault.
Despite mounting allegations, Depardieu has received considerable support from some members of France’s artistic community.
Last year, over 50 actors, directors, and producers signed a letter, including Charlotte Rampling, Carole Bouquet, Pierre Richard, Carla Bruni, and Jacques Dutronc, condemning the accusations as an “attack on art itself” and expressing their unwillingness to “remain silent in the face of the lynching” of Depardieu.
French President Emmanuel Macron also sparked controversy by describing Depardieu as “the pride of France” and suggesting he was the target of a “manhunt.”
Campaigners criticized Macron’s comments, saying they undermined efforts to protect women from violence, with actress Léa Seydoux calling his words “crazy” and damaging to France’s image.
However, Macron’s former culture minister, Rima Abdul-Malak, later considered revoking Depardieu’s Legion d’Honneur following a 2018 documentary filmed in North Korea, where Depardieu was captured making inappropriate sexual comments around women.