French cinema icon Gérard Depardieu was found guilty by a Paris court on Tuesday of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021. The 76-year-old actor received an 18-month
suspended prison sentence, marking a dramatic fall from grace for one of France’s most celebrated performers.
Depardieu, who has long denied any misconduct, plans to appeal the verdict, according to his lawyer. With a career spanning more than five decades and over 200 films—including "Cyrano de Bergerac," "The Last Metro," and "Green Card"—his conviction has sent shockwaves through the French film industry.
This case is among the most prominent #MeToo trials in France, where the movement has historically gained less traction than in the U.S. However, growing public scrutiny and shifting social attitudes suggest the cultural landscape may be changing.
One of the victims, Amelie K., a 54-year-old set decorator, testified that Depardieu groped her and made lewd remarks while trapping her between his legs on set. “I was terrified—he was laughing,” she told the court.
During the trial, Depardieu argued that placing a hand on someone’s buttocks should not be classified as sexual assault and suggested that some women are too easily offended.
Presiding judge Thierry Donard sharply criticized Depardieu’s lack of understanding about consent and the lasting trauma his actions caused. Depardieu, who was absent during the verdict, was also ordered to be listed as a sex offender.
A #MeToo turning point in France
Depardieu has been a central figure in France's ongoing #MeToo reckoning, facing a wave of allegations over recent years. Prosecutors are preparing a separate rape case involving actress Charlotte Arnould, 29, who said she could no longer stay silent.
To date, more than a dozen women have accused Depardieu of sexual violence, although not all have pursued legal action. In a public letter published in Le Figaro in October 2023, Depardieu maintained his innocence, stating: “Never, absolutely never, have I abused a woman.”
The trial highlighted a broader cultural divide in France, particularly over generational attitudes toward sexism and accountability in the arts. Earlier in the investigation, a group of 50 public figures, including Carla Bruni, wife of former president Nicolas Sarkozy, denounced what they described as a “lynching” of Depardieu. Iconic actress Brigitte Bardot, now 90, commented that "those who have talent and grope a girl get thrown into the gutter."
Nevertheless, women’s rights advocates say progress is being made. Recent high-profile cases, such as that of Gisele Pelicot—whose ex-husband was convicted for orchestrating multiple rapes—have brought public attention to the issue.
“This is truly a victory and a step forward. We are making progress,” Amelie K. said after the verdict. Photo by Georges Biard, Wikimedia commons.