French actor Gerard Depardieu was found guilty on Tuesday of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of a 2021 project.
He received an 18-month suspended sentence following his trial in Paris and is now listed on the national sex offender registry.
The actor’s attorney has indicated that an appeal is in the works.
Depardieu, aged 76 and notable for his roles in over 200 films and TV series, faced accusations from two women regarding inappropriate behavior on set. He has denied all allegations.
A Paris court ruled that Amélie, one of the accusers who worked as a set designer, provided consistent testimony, while Depardieu’s statements seemed to change over time. He was also found guilty of assaulting an assistant director named Sarah.
Interestingly, Depardieu was not in court to hear the verdict, as he was reportedly at a film set in the Azores.
This trial marks the first time Depardieu has faced sexual assault allegations in court.
He is now facing allegations of assault or inappropriate behavior from around 20 other women, each with their own upcoming trials.
At the trial’s conclusion, prosecutor Laurent Guy emphasized:
“You are here to judge Gerard Depardieu, just like any other citizen, not to comment on French cinema.”
Prosecutors had sought an 18-month prison sentence, a fine of £16,850, and the registration on the sex offender list.
Claude Vincent, representing one of the plaintiffs, described Depardieu as a troubling example of sexism and misbehavior in the industry. The focus has also been on the actor’s claims of innocence.
Depardieu refuted the allegations, suggesting that any physical contact might have been coincidental.
During the hearing, he remarked:
“A trial is a unique experience for an actor. It’s filled with all this tension from the police and the media. It’s like a scene from a sci-fi movie, but this is real life.”
He noted that he hasn’t acted in three years since the start of these allegations.
Depardieu stands out in the discussions surrounding the #MeToo movement in French cinema.
Brigitte Bardot has previously commented on Depardieu, suggesting he should be allowed to “move on with his life.”
