Gerard Depardieu Seeks Delay in High-Profile Sexual Assault Trial Amid Health Concerns

Gerard Depardieu's sexual assault trial in Paris has been delayed due to health concerns, as he faces accusations from two women related to the filming of "Les Volets Verts" in 2021. The case highlights tensions in France's #MeToo movement, with significant implications for both the acclaimed actor and cultural perceptions of accountability in the entertainment industry.

Gerard Depardieu, the renowned French actor, has requested a delay in his upcoming sexual assault trial, originally scheduled to begin on Monday in Paris. His lawyer, Jeremie Assous, cited health issues as the reason for the request, stating that Depardieu was "deeply affected" by illness and had been advised by doctors not to attend the proceedings.

Depardieu, 75, is facing serious allegations, accused of assaulting two women during the production of the 2021 film "Les Volets Verts" (The Green Shutters). According to prosecutors, he allegedly made graphic sexual comments and "groped" two production team members. If found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison. The actor has vehemently denied the charges, maintaining in an open letter from last year that he has never "abused a woman."

As the legal proceedings were set to commence in a criminal court in Paris at approximately 13:30 local time, Assous mentioned that Depardieu is eager to testify and defend himself before the court. This trial is particularly significant as it represents a critical moment in France's ongoing #MeToo movement, with Depardieu being one of the most high-profile figures in French cinema to face such allegations.

The unnamed women involved in the case have accused Depardieu of making unsolicited sexual advances toward them. They assert that he also "violently grabbed" and "groped" them during the film's production. In defense of his client, Assous has alleged that the accusations are false, claiming that one of the accusers is seeking financial gain, reportedly demanding €30,000 (approximately $32,500).

Since the accusations emerged, Depardieu's reputation has suffered, resulting in his status as a virtual outcast in the industry; he has not appeared in any films since 2022. Additionally, he is facing another trial next year concerning charges of raping actress Charlotte Arnould in his Paris home, which he also denies. With more than a dozen women having come forward with allegations against him, the situation continues to escalate.

Despite the mounting accusations, Depardieu has garnered support from parts of the French artistic community. A collective of over 50 actors, directors, and producers issued a letter last year, asserting that the accusations against him represented "an attack on art itself." Among those who signed were notable figures like Charlotte Rampling and Carole Bouquet, who criticized the perceived "lynching" of Depardieu.

French President Emmanuel Macron faced backlash for labeling Depardieu "the pride of France," arguing that the actor was subjected to a "manhunt." His remarks were condemned by women’s rights advocates, who contended that they undermined progress towards protecting women from violence and harassment. Actress Léa Seydoux called the comments "crazy," emphasizing that they painted a negative image of France.

Amidst the contrasting responses, Macron's then-culture minister Rima Abdul-Malak indicated a willingness to reconsider Depardieu's prestigious Legion d’Honneur award following revelations of his inappropriate behavior from a 2018 documentary filmed in North Korea. The unfolding trial and its surrounding discourse underscore the complexities and controversies of addressing sexual misconduct within the arts in contemporary France.