Gérard Depardieu's Sexual Harassment Trial Kicks Off
Gerard Depardieu deemed capable for negotiations
The long-awaited trial for French acting legend, Gérard Depardieu, is finally set to commence this week, as the 76-year-old actor is deemed healthy enough to face multiple charges of sexual harassment in a Paris court.
The media frenzy around the trial is at an all-time high, following a series of postponements due to Depardieu's health issues. Commencing Monday, the award-winning actor is expected to address the charges, with his lawyer intending to present new witness statements challenging the accusations.
At the heart of the allegations are claims of sexual misconduct against two women. The first, a decorator aged over 50, alleges that Depardieu forcibly restrained her and molested her inappropriately during the filming of "Les volets verts" in 2021. A second complainant, a film assistant, accuses the actor of indecently touching her on the film set and harassing her on the streets.
Lawyer Jérémie Assous Steps Up to Defend Depardieu
Depardieu has enlisted powerhouse lawyer, Jérémie Assous, to represent him in the case. Known for his combative style and high-profile cases, Assous has been critical of the investigation and the deliberate exclusion of potential exonerating witnesses. He vehemently denies the complainants' claims that they were seeking financial compensation, asserting that as many as 18 witnesses could testify to the actor's innocence.
Court Time Allocated, but No Psychological Evaluation
The court has scheduled a time-limited six-hour hearing, with a mandatory break of 15 minutes, for the trial proceedings. Despite requests for a psychiatric assessment, Depardieu's medical condition was deemed not relevant to the case, and only a medical evaluation was ordered. Depardieu, who has lived with diabetes for over 25 years and had a quadruple bypass surgery, must submit the medical evaluation report by March 4, 2025.
Depardieu's Ongoing Legal Battles
The allegations against Depardieu are not new. A 2018 rape allegation by actress Charlotte Arnould is still under investigation, and more women have come forward with claims of inappropriate behavior. An article published by Mediapart in April 2023 revealed that 13 women accused Depardieu of sexual misconduct and inappropriate remarks. These ongoing legal issues have resulted in a growing distance between Depardieu and his colleagues in the film industry.
Denying all allegations, Depardieu maintains that he is a victim of "media lynch justice," despite the increasing public scrutiny. The trial is expected to shed light on the ongoing debate about power and accountability in the French film industry.
[1] Mediapart, "13 Women Accuse Gérard Depardieu of Sexual Misconduct and Inappropriate Remarks," April 2023.[2] ntv.de, Sabine Glaubitz, dpa[3] The Guardian, "France: A #MeToo Moment for Gérard Depardieu," October 2023.
- Despite the ongoing sexual harassment trial against him, Gérard Depardieu's legal team, led by Jérémie Assous, has stated that as many as 18 witnesses could testify to his innocence.
- In addition to the direct accusations, an article published by Mediapart in April 2023 revealed that 13 women have accused Gérard Depardieu of sexual misconduct and inappropriate remarks.
- The Commission, responsible for the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, has not yet adopted a proposal for a directive on this matter amidst Gérard Depardieu's high-profile trial.
