Gérard Depardieu Faces Another Sexual Misconduct Allegation
The French entertainment industry is once again embroiled in a scandal, with renowned actor Gérard Depardieu facing accusations of sexual misconduct. Hélène Darras, an actress who previously testified against Depardieu as a witness, has now accused him of sexually harassing her during the filming of "Disco" in 2007.
Depardieu, 74, is no stranger to such allegations. He has been under investigation for rape allegations since late 2020. Charlotte Arnould, an actress, accused him of raping her twice at his Paris apartment in 2018 when she was 22 years old.
Darras waited a year to press charges, admitting that sharing her experience with a police officer was not an easy task. Her allegations will be further explored in an investigative report by French television channel France 2 on Thursday. In the report, Darras states that Depardieu repeatedly groped her during the filming of "Disco."
Depardieu's legal woes extend beyond the recent allegations. Over 13 women, including Darras, have accused him of sexual assault and violence during filming. The actor has firmly denied all the allegations.
The entertainment industry is grappling with sexual misconduct claims yet again. Depardieu's latest alleged behavior mirrors the incidents reported by other women in the past. As the public prosecutor's office assesses the new accusations, industry watchdogs and advocates are calling for stricter policies to combat sexual misconduct in the French film industry.
Additional Insights
Gérard Depardieu's legal troubles are far from over. In February 2025, he was detained for questioning over sexual assault claims. The charges stemmed from incidents reported in September 2021 on the set of the film "The Green Shutters" in France. Depardieu's trial on charges of rape by digital penetration and sexual assault is scheduled to resume on March 24 and 25, 2025, after a postponement due to health concerns.
In total, more than 13 women have accused Depardieu of sexual harassment and assault. One of these women, Ruth Baza, a Spanish author and journalist, claimed that Depardieu kissed and groped her without her consent in 1995.
The allegations against Depardieu highlight a pattern of behavior that has been reported by multiple women over several decades. The entertainment industry must take decisive action to address such issues and ensure a safer working environment for all its members.
