March 28, 2025: French actor Gérard Depardieu is currently facing serious legal consequences following a sexual assault trial this week. The Paris prosecutor’s office has requested an 18-month suspended prison sentence, three years of probation, a fine of €20,000, and psychological treatment for Depardieu. Additionally, the actor could be placed on France’s sex offenders list if convicted.
The charges stem from incidents that allegedly took place during the filming of The Green Shutters in 2021. Two women have come forward with accusations. Amelie, a set dresser, testified that Depardieu physically seized her and made sexually explicit comments. Sarah, a third assistant director, accused the actor of touching her buttocks and breasts on two separate occasions during the shoot.
Despite the accusations, Depardieu has denied all charges, claiming that his actions were misinterpreted and were not intentionally sexual. His defense has argued that the interactions were not meant to be sexual in nature. However, the prosecution, led by Laurent Guy, emphasized that the plaintiffs maintained their testimonies throughout the trial, while Depardieu’s version of events shifted over time.
Eyewitness testimony corroborated the accounts of the women, with three witnesses confirming that Depardieu’s gestures were indeed inappropriate, providing critical evidence in the case. The prosecution has stated that this evidence undeniably constitutes sexual assault.
This trial is significant for the 76-year-old actor, who has faced over 20 allegations of inappropriate behavior throughout his career. In addition to the current case, Depardieu faces another trial in the coming months concerning rape allegations made by actress Charlotte Arnould, dating back to 2018. Depardieu has denied these accusations as well.
The case has ignited discussions about the culture of silence surrounding sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. Carine Durrieu-Deibolt, the lawyer for Amelie, criticized the industry’s collective responsibility for allowing such behavior to persist, stating, “For decades, with regards to Gérard Depardieu, everyone knew… There are reprisals… if you become the pain in the neck, they don’t recruit you anymore.”
The trial is one of several high-profile sexual abuse cases in France, which have brought more attention to the issue of sexual misconduct in the film industry. These include the mass rape case of Gisele Pelicot and the conviction of director Christophe Ruggia for assaulting actress Adele Haenel.
A judge will now deliberate on the prosecution’s request for sentencing. If convicted, Depardieu could face up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000.