The Gerard Depardieu Trial Is France’s #MeToo Watershed

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The trial of Gerard Depardieu was as much farce as it was tragedy. 

In the midst of France dealing with its own #MeToo reckoning, as a parliamentary commission scrutinizes harassment and violence against women within the nation’s art sectors, one of France’s most prominent actors stood trial in a Paris courtroom recently over accusations that he sexually assaulted two female coworkers on the set of the movie “The Green Shutters” in 2021.

The events leading to the unfortunate incident stemmed from accounts given by women, including a set decorator who recounted an instance where Depardieu allegedly pinned her between his legs and inappropriately touched her, as well as an assistant director who described various occurrences of the actor touching her inappropriate areas. The spectacle that unfolded during Depardieu’s court testimony was striking. In his testimony, the 76-year-old actor appeared to be enacting a mockery of toxic masculinity, confessing to using phrases such as “Dick!” and “Pussy!” on set, jokingly stating that “it’s so hot in here, I can’t even get an erection,” but downplaying his actions by comparing them to a child saying “wee wee, poo poo” and suggesting that only those living in this “new world” of political correctness would find offense.

At some stage, Depardieu’s defense appeared to focus on his age and weight, implying that at 76 years old and weighing 150 kilos (330 lbs), he was physically incapable of engaging in such activities with female colleagues. In one instance, when he allegedly touched a woman inappropriately by her hips, he explained it as to prevent himself from falling. He further stated that his large belly made it impossible for him to pull a woman in towards his legs.

In a court appearance, Depardieu expressed his fondness for women, yet voiced concerns about the #MeToo movement, stating it was turning into a “fear” or “terror,” using the example of Roman Polanski, a film director originally from Poland, who left the U.S. many years ago following an admission of statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl as his case.

The rough-and-tumble character of Depardieu, his public image as a crude, working-class tough guy, was prominently shown. This rough yet appealing demeanor, so unlike his polished Parisian peers, played a significant role in propelling the actor to stardom within French cinema during the late 70s, with films like Bertrand Blier’s “Going Places” (1974), and ultimately catapulting him to international fame through Bernardo Bertolucci’s “1900” (1976), Jean-Paul Rappeneau’s “Cyrano de Bergerac” (1990), and Peter Weir’s “Green Card” (1991), which earned him an Oscar nomination for best actor. However, as allegations of assault against him pile up, the Depardieu persona seems to be losing its luster.

In this incident, the defense called several witnesses who testified about alleged abuses by a veteran actor with more than 200 screen credits. One of these witnesses was a costume designer who claimed that on a movie set in 2014, the actor pushed her behind some curtains and groped her inappropriately, saying “You know who I am. Let it happen. I’m an actor, I have the right.” When senior production staff were informed of this incident, she stated they chose to ignore it, dismissing her as just a “costume girl.

A thirty-year-old actress, who starred alongside Depardieu in the French Netflix series “Marseille,” testified in court that his inappropriate behavior was well-known among the cast and crew. She asserted that during filming, Depardieu unexpectedly reached inside her shorts and underwear. When she attempted to move him away, he reportedly said, “What? I thought you wanted to make it big in cinema,” according to her statement.

In a court appearance, renowned actress Fanny Ardant (known for her roles in “Nathalie” and “8 Women”) testified as a character witness for Gérard Depardieu. As a long-time collaborator and friend, she stated that she had never seen any behavior by Depardieu that she found disturbing. What may seem shocking to Ardant appears to be a high standard. She shared that she has encountered similar situations to those Depardieu is accused of. “Being a woman myself,” she pointed out, “I’ve been struck and insulted. I know you can say no to Gérard.” However, she admitted that “times have changed, society has evolved, and the norms are not what they used to be. There were things we tolerated in the past that are no longer acceptable today.

In his final remarks, the state lawyer criticized Depardieu for showing “complete denial and unwillingness to self-reflect.” The panel of three judges is set to announce their decision on May 13, which is also the opening day of the Cannes Film Festival. The prosecution has requested that Depardieu be given an 18-month suspended sentence, although he could face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to €75,000 ($81,000).

This trial marks yet another court appearance for Depardieu regarding charges of sexual violence, and it’s not likely to be his last. Recently, French actress Charlotte Arnould testified at this week’s trial, accusing Depardieu of raping her twice in 2018 at his private residence. The case is still being investigated. At present, the actor is dealing with several other sexual assault allegations. Over twenty women have come forward, either through media outlets or in court, accusing him of acts of sexual violence. He has consistently denied all these accusations.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been following the shakeups within the French film industry closely. The latest trial involving Depardieu is just one more piece in this growing puzzle of #MeToo scandals and legal battles. It seems like the tide has finally turned, bringing about an overdue shift that many professionals have long anticipated.

In 2017, as the Harvey Weinstein allegations unfolded, journalist Sandra Muller introduced the #BalanceTonPorc (#SquealOnYourPig) hashtag to bring the #MeToo movement to France. However, this call was met with resistance from established French celebrities like Catherine Deneuve. In response, she penned a piece for Le Monde defending the “freedom to flirt,” which she argued was essential for sexual freedom. This article was signed by 100 other prominent women, including actresses, directors, writers, and artists. As a fan looking back on this event, I found it fascinating how such a divisive conversation about consent and power dynamics in the entertainment industry unfolded in France.

Despite initial resistance, the industry gradually embraced this change from 2020 onwards. The CNC, a significant financial backer of French cinema, enacted regulations that mandated adherence to anti-sexist, anti-harassment policies for any projects funded by them. This meant that producers seeking funding had to attend workshops addressing inappropriate conduct on set, and a specialized legal and psychological team was established to support victims.

At the César Awards held in February, actress Adèle Haenel chose to leave the event in protest when Roman Polanski was awarded the Best Director prize for his film An Officer and a Spy. Previously, she had accused director Christophe Ruggia of sexual misconduct after she worked with him on the 2002 movie Devils as a teenager. Last month, Ruggia was sentenced by the Paris criminal court to serve a four-year prison term, with two years of house arrest.

In a youthful and vocal manner, Haenel openly refused to work within an industry she described as abusive. Her most recent film credit was from Céline Sciamma’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” released in 2019. As a result, Haenel swiftly emerged as a prominent representative for the French cinema’s #MeToo movement.

In her footsteps, other actresses stepped forward. Notably, Judith Godrèche, who bravely spoke out against two renowned directors, Jacques Doillon and Benoît Jacquot, accusing them of rape when she was just 15. (Godrèche is also one of the 93 women who accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct.) The 53-year-old star has since become a prominent voice in this movement, frequently appearing in the media and directing a short film titled “Me Too,” which premiered at Cannes last year.

In this version, I have tried to maintain the original’s tone while making it more accessible to readers by simplifying some of the sentence structures and using more everyday language.

In the world of CNC, even high-ranking figures like Dominique Boutonnat were not exempt from the impact of the #MeToo movement. In 2021, he was charged with attempted rape and sexual assault by his then 22-year-old godson. Subsequently, in February, a court sentenced him to three years in prison (two years suspended), prompting him to step down from his position.

In an industry previously known for overlooking abusive behavior, the implementation of new rules and standards is causing significant changes in productions. For instance, during the 2023 filming of the legal drama “Je le jure” (I Swear It), directed by Samuel Theis, a crew member accused Theis of sexual assault at a party. As a result, Theis was prohibited from the set and required to complete the remainder of the filming via Zoom. Although a judge opted not to press charges against the director, placing him under the category of a “witness assisted” (somewhere between a witness and a suspect), the producers emphasized the safe environment they established for the rest of the team to ensure the completion of the movie.

In October 2024, a commission was established under the leadership of Sandrine Rousseau, an MP from the Ecologist Group, to probe instances of violence in the film, theatre, fashion, and advertising sectors. This commission is set to release its initial findings on April 9, 2025.

During the wrap-up of Depardieu’s trial, HuffPost asked me about his court performance, and I couldn’t help but express my thoughts: “He was like a monster in character,” I said. “But let’s be clear, he’s a skilled actor, there’s no denying that. However, when confronted with his victims, he transformed into a delicate and exposed individual.

Currently, Depardieu stands as the most prominent figure in French cinema facing legal proceedings following the #MeToo movement. The fact that he was found guilty for behavior that likely would have been ignored by producers eager to capitalize on his fame a few years ago, demonstrates just how far the industry has progressed in a relatively short period.

The high-profile trial of a public figure notorious for his excessive indulgences, crude behavior, and poor etiquette didn’t come as much of a surprise to many. What was unexpected, however, was the public scrutiny faced by this top-tier actor – arguably the most renowned in French cinema – regarding his treatment towards two female employees behind the scenes. If nothing else, the Depardieu trial served as a significant and overdue sign of power dynamics shifting within the French film industry.

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2025-04-02 15:55