Gérard Depardieu, that big-name French actor—you know, the guy with the booming voice and over 200 movies under his belt—walked into a Paris courtroom on March 24, 2025. He’s 76 now, still a legend in France, but this time he’s not there for a film premiere. Nope, he’s facing some serious accusations. Two women who worked with him on a movie set back in 2021 say he sexually assaulted them. The film was called Les Volets Verts—The Green Shutters—and it’s turned into a whole messy chapter for him.
Allegations from the Film Set
These two women—one’s a 54-year-old set dresser, the other a 34-year-old assistant director—worked behind the scenes on that movie. They say Depardieu crossed the line big time. The set dresser claims he grabbed her, pinning her between his legs, running his hands over her waist, hips, and chest while tossing out crude comments. The assistant director says he got handsy with her too, touching her buttocks and chest, both on set and even out in the street. People around them saw it go down—some even say his bodyguards had to step in and pull him off the set dresser. Heavy stuff, right?
Courtroom Appearance and Defense
Depardieu rolled up to court looking pretty chill for someone in the hot seat—black suit, sneakers, gray hair tied back in a ponytail. His lawyer, Jérémie Assous, was right by his side, and they’re both saying this is all nonsense. “We’ve got the truth,” his lawyer told the crowd outside, promising Depardieu’s ready to set the record straight. He sat there in front of the judges, cool as can be, saying he’s happy to talk.
History of Accusations
But here’s the thing—this isn’t the first time his name’s come up like this. More than 20 women have shared stories over the years about him acting creepy or worse. One of them, Charlotte Arnould, says he raped her back in 2018 when she was just 22. That case is still winding through the system, no trial yet. She showed up to watch this one, though, sitting in the courtroom next to another actor, Anouk Grinberg, who’s worked with Depardieu and isn’t shy about calling him out.
Public Reaction and Protest
Outside, it was chaos—dozens of people waving signs and shouting, “We believe you, victims; we see you, rapists!” They’re rooting for the women who spoke up. One of their lawyers, Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, said her client was terrified to say anything at first. I mean, Depardieu’s a giant in the movie world—think of him as this towering figure, and then there’s this regular person trying to stand up to him. It’s intimidating, especially in an industry where big shots often get a pass.
Delays, Health Issues, and Legal Stakes
The trial was supposed to happen last October, but Depardieu’s health slowed things down. He’s had heart surgery and deals with diabetes, so they’re giving him breaks during the hearings. If the judges decide he’s guilty, he could be looking at five years in jail and a fine around $81,000. That’s no small thing.
A Divided Public and Cultural Moment
He’s sticking to his story, though. Back in 2023, he wrote this big letter to Le Figaro, swearing he’s never hurt a woman and saying people are out to get him. Some folks, like France’s President Emmanuel Macron, have his back, calling him a national treasure. But a lot of women in the film biz see this as a turning point—a chance to finally call out the powerful guys who’ve gotten away with too much for too long.
France’s #MeToo Moment
France has been a bit slow on the #MeToo train compared to places like the U.S., so this feels like a huge moment. The trial’s only gonna last a couple of days, and then the judges will take their time deciding. Whatever happens, it’s got everyone buzzing—about fairness, about power, and about what’s right. Crazy, huh?