Gérard Depardieu has received an 18-month prison sentence after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two women during a film shoot in 2021.
Regarded as France’s leading film star, Depardieu, who has appeared in over 200 films and series, is now the most notable figure in the French cinema scene to be convicted of sexual assault since the #MeToo movement emerged.
The 76-year-old, absent from court at the time of the verdict, was convicted for assaulting a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director while filming *Les Werettes* (Green Shutter) in Paris in September 2021.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Depardieu confined the set decorator, identified as Amélie, between his legs on set and groped her. She recounted feeling physically trapped and mentioned that he used inappropriate language to demand her attention.
At one point, while calling to check on umbrellas for the film, Depardieu reportedly said, “Come and touch my big umbrella. I’ll stick it on your cat.”
Amélie described how he forcefully grabbed her and pulled her toward him, stating, “That’s when I realized the power he had, holding me very tightly. I remember his eyes—big, red, angry eyes, telling me, ‘Please touch my big umbrella.’
She expressed that her primary fear stemmed not from his sexual intentions but from his awareness of her fear, which she felt he derived some pleasure from.
Depardieu was also found guilty of sexually assaulting the assistant director on three occasions, touching her chest and buttocks. The woman, whose name hasn’t been disclosed, stated the encounters made her feel “objectified.”
She clarified that the first assault happened during a nighttime shoot in Paris, while the second incident occurred inside a Paris apartment. “I said no,” she recounted, visibly frightened.
On the third instance, he again touched her inappropriately after she firmly said “No.”
The assistant director noted that Depardieu often spoke about sexual topics on set, frequently referencing “cats.”
Depardieu has denied all the allegations and claimed that the media exploited these claims to tarnish his reputation. He criticized the #MeToo movement and referred to one protester outside his concert as disconcerting, saying, “This movement is going to be terrifying.”
This trial has been highlighted as a pivotal moment for the French film industry, which has faced scrutiny for not adequately addressing allegations of abuse against women.
A recent report from French politicians described sexual violence and harassment as “endemic” within the entertainment sector, with women and children still facing threats on a daily basis.
