Depardieu under pressure: Process for sexual attacks started in Paris

Depardieu under pressure: Process for sexual attacks started in Paris

On March 25, 2025, the trial against the renowned French actor Gérard Depardieu in Paris began. This is the first trial in which the 75-year-old is confronted with allegations of sexual attacks. Two women, a decorator and a director's assistant, accuse him of having touched her intimate places during the filming of "Les Volets Verts" in 2021. The allegations were a central topic during the eventful procedure, which is accompanied by strong media interest, such as vienna.at Despite the stressful allegations,

depardieu has vehemently rejected the allegations. He admitted to having touched one of the plaintiffs on his hip, but denies that this had sexual intentions. In his defense, he relies on health problems that have been troubled by him for over 25 years. His defense lawyer Jérémie Assouus described the allegations as "completely invented" and criticized a "climate of fear" among the witnesses.

background to the allegations

The film industry in France is split in its reaction to these developments. While some voices in industry demand a withdrawal of its awards, such as the Legion of Honor, others continue to support the actor. The controversy do not tear off: Depardieu also focuses on investigations because of tax evasion and suspected sexual attacks in Spain.

a climate of silence open

The Depardieu case takes place in a context in which the Metoo movement in France is becoming increasingly important. Despite the initial reluctance, many women, including actress Adèle Haenel, have found courage to talk about their experiences with sexual violence. A former surgeon confessed to hundreds of cases of child abuse, which re -sparked the discussion about dealing with sexual violence in the film industry.

The sociologist Clara Le Gallic-Ach emphasizes that the film industry often exerts abuse of power, which requires a serious discussion. Following the public pressure, an investigation commission plans to introduce a draft law to protect against sexual violence in filmmaking. The latest developments around Gérard Depardieu could lead to a further step towards justice and to combat sexual abuse in the industry, such as ZDF and show.

The process could also be extended due to persistent legal debates about formal issues, and a judgment is expected at the earliest on Tuesday. In the event of a guilty verdict, the allegations for Depardieu could have serious consequences, including up to five years of deprivation and a fine of 75,000 euros.