In brief
In a landmark ruling from a Paris court, Gérard Depardieu, the renowned French actor, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on the set of a film he starred in, "Les Volets Verts," during 2021. The court sentenced Depardieu, 76, to an 18-month suspended sentence, with the decision reflecting the prosecution's recommendations following a four-day trial in March. The actor has also been mandated to register as a sex offender.
The victims, a set decorator identified only as Amélie and a 34-year-old assistant director who remains unnamed, detailed troubling encounters with Depardieu. Amélie, now 54, testified that the actor grabbed her waist and forcefully pulled her toward him, making unwanted physical contact while seated. The assistant director also reported multiple instances where Depardieu touched her inappropriately while escorting him from his dressing area to the set.Depardieu has consistently denied the allegations, despite variations in his account concerning the set decorator's testimony. The court's verdict has sparked discussions surrounding sexual harassment and misconduct in the film industry, as well as the actions to be taken against high-profile figures accused of similar offenses.
