French Actor Gérard Depardieu Sentenced for Sexual Assault on Movie Set

In a significant ruling, Gérard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexual assault against two women on the set of a film he starred in, resulting in a suspended sentence and mandatory inclusion on a sex offender registry.

Gérard Depardieu, the acclaimed French actor, has been convicted by a Paris court for sexually assaulting two female crew members during the production of the 2021 film "Les Volets Verts." The court sentenced him to an 18-month suspended prison term and mandated that he be registered as a sex offender.

The conviction follows a detailed four-day trial held in March, where the prosecutor advocated for a sentence reflecting the severity of the offenses. The women involved, a set decorator in her 50s, identified by her first name Amélie, and a 34-year-old assistant director, recounted disturbing incidents of sexual misconduct that occurred while working on set.

Amélie described an assault where Depardieu forcibly pulled her towards him, groping her while using derogatory language. The assistant director further testified that Depardieu repeatedly touched her inappropriately as they walked from his dressing area to the filming location.

Despite his conviction, Depardieu, aged 76, has continued to deny the allegations, although his account regarding the events involving Amélie has shifted during the proceedings. The case has sparked a renewed discussion around workplace safety and accountability within the entertainment industry in France, highlighting the importance of addressing and sanctioning inappropriate behavior.