Gerard Depardieu, the renowned French actor, is currently on trial in Paris, facing serious allegations of sexual assault. The trial comes after two women accused him of inappropriate behavior while filming "Les Volets Verts" (Green Shutters) in 2021. The accusations include claims that Depardieu touched them inappropriately on multiple occasions.
During the second day of the trial, the 76-year-old actor took the stand to deny the allegations. He stated that he has been told he possesses "a Russian nature," which he humorously attributed to his drinking habits and what some might consider vulgar behavior. Depardieu insisted, "I’m not touching the butts of women," as he defended himself against the claims.
One of the women testified that Depardieu acted "like a madman" and took pleasure in frightening her. She described a frightening encounter where he allegedly groped her chest, stating that she felt helpless to stop him. "He terrified me, he laughed, he looked like a madman," she recounted in court. She noted the stark contrast between his calm demeanor in court and his behavior on set, where he was described as loud and boisterous.
Depardieu acknowledged using crude language around the women and admitted to grabbing one woman’s hips. He claimed that his actions were not meant to be harmful and expressed understanding if she felt upset. He attributed his behavior to being in a "bad mood" due to the heat on set.
If convicted, Depardieu could face up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000. The trial is ongoing, and the second accuser has yet to testify. The court’s verdict is not expected immediately after the trial concludes. This high-profile case has drawn significant media attention, reflecting broader conversations around sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry.