“Actor Depardieu, accused of sexual assault, will appear in court”

French actor Gérard Depardieu, who gained fame for his role in “Cyrano de Bergerac,” is set to appear in court in Paris on March 24th. He faces allegations of sexual assault involving two women during the filming of the movie “Les Volets Verts” in 2021.

According to reports from Agence France-Presse, Gérard Depardieu, who has appeared in over 200 films and TV shows, has been accused by more than 10 women of sexual misconduct. However, the 24th of March marks the first case brought against him.

The two plaintiffs in this case are a 34-year-old assistant director and a 54-year-old set designer, both of whom worked on the set of “Les Volets Verts.” The set designer reported to the police during the filming, accusing Gérard Depardieu of sexual assault, harassment, and insult.

Following the incident, Gérard Depardieu released a public letter in October 2023 denying any inappropriate behavior towards women. It is now up to the investigating judge to determine whether these allegations will go to trial.

Renowned actress Anouk Grinberg, who also starred in “Les Volets Verts,” has voiced her support for the two women who were alleged victims. She revealed that Gérard Depardieu made continuous lewd comments during the filming, and the producers who hired him knew they were hiring an abuser.

In fact, investigative website “Mediapart” had previously reported allegations of sexual violence by Gérard Depardieu by more than 10 women, some dating back to the early 2000s. However, several cases were dismissed for exceeding the statute of limitations.

The trial was initially scheduled to begin in October 2024 but was postponed due to Gérard Depardieu’s poor health. His lawyer Jeremie Assous stated that Gérard Depardieu had undergone four heart bypass surgeries and has diabetes, with the trial pressure exacerbating his condition. However, following a medical examination designated by the court, Gérard Depardieu was deemed fit to stand trial, with a daily hearing limit of 6 hours and breaks whenever needed.

At 76 years old, Gérard Depardieu holds a prominent position in the French entertainment industry. Apart from winning the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival in 1985 for “Police,” he also received the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1990 for the historical French film “Cyrano de Bergerac,” also earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He later appeared in Hollywood films such as Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi” and won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in “Green Card,” becoming one of the highest-paid male actors in French cinema.

According to Reuters, in the French film industry, Gérard Depardieu is one of the most prominent figures facing such allegations. His accusations and trial have caused significant divisions in the French entertainment industry, with some supporting him expected to speak in his favor during the trial, while others stand with the plaintiffs.