Renowned French actor Gérard Depardieu is currently being investigated for purportedly committing rape and is now being accused of yet another instance of sexual assault.
In 2021, a set designer has lodged a legal allegation against the actor, accusing him of sexual harassment and assault during a film production.
According to reports from French media, there was a second accusation of improper sexual behavior by Depardieu, age 75, while filming the 2022 movie Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters) in Paris. The film also includes performances from Anouk Grinberg and Fanny Ardant.
On Sunday, Carine Durrieu Diebolt, the attorney representing the victim, referred to as Amélie, who is 53 years old, informed Agence France-Presse that she had filed a formal complaint with the prosecutor’s office.
On September 10th, 2021, Amélie informed Mediapart, an online newspaper, that Depardieu had made several offensive comments towards her. According to her, while he was sitting in a corridor, the actor suddenly grabbed her and held her tightly between his thighs with great strength. She also stated that he proceeded to touch her waist, stomach, and breasts.
She stated that the actor’s bodyguard on the movie set intervened during the reported incident, comparing it to getting caught in a “wolf trap.”
Durrieu Diebolt explained to BFM TV that the victim chose not to take legal action at the time in order to avoid negatively impacting her colleagues and the film’s release. The supportive actions of the film crew gave her hope that she would recover from the trauma, but unfortunately it continued to affect her.
She mentioned that it resurfaced in October after Depardieu wrote an open letter declaring, “I have never, ever mistreated a woman.”
The lawyer stated that the plaintiff experienced work limitations, anxiety attacks, and post-traumatic stress as a result of these occurrences.
Durrieu Diebolt told AFP she sent her complaint to the Paris public prosecutor’s office last Friday, alleging sexual assault, sexist insult and harassment. The public prosecutor will decide if there is a case to answer and if so what legal action should be taken to investigate. The Paris prosecutor’s office has not confirmed the lodging of the complaint and Depardieu’s lawyers have not commented.
Per Mediapart, another female employee, identified as Sarah, aged 33 and working as an assistant director on the same production, alleged that Depardieu touched her breasts and buttocks.
In December 2020, Depardieu became the subject of an investigation for the potential crimes of “rape and sexual assault” against actor Charlotte Arnould. Arnould stated to the police that Depardieu had raped her at his apartment in Paris when she was 22 years old.
Depardieu denied the accusations and claimed that any interaction with Arnould was mutually agreed upon. He tried to dismiss the charges, but a court in Paris ruled last year that there was substantial and verified proof that warrants Depardieu to still face charges. The case is currently going through the judicial process.
Twelve additional women have come forward to make allegations of sexual misconduct against the actor. In January, authorities requested that a case filed by actress Hélène Darras, who accused Depardieu of sexual abuse during the making of the 2007 movie Disco, be dismissed due to the expiration of the time limit.
In April 2023, Darras was among the 13 women who came forward with accusations of sexual misconduct against Depardieu, as reported by Mediapart in an investigative article.
The accusations against the actor, a prominent figure in French cinema who has consistently generated controversial news since starting his career over 50 years ago, particularly due to his choice to relocate to Russia, create a divide in the opinions of the French public.
In December, there was widespread anger over 50 artists signing an open letter in defense of Depardieu, claiming he was being unfairly targeted and stripped of his right to be presumed innocent. In response, a group of approximately 600 individuals signed a counter letter advocating for aid and backing for victims of sexual misconduct.
Emmanuel Macron showed solidarity with the actor during a TV interview, describing him as a remarkable performer who brings honor to France. He also stated that Depardieu deserves to be presumed innocent. The French leader expressed concern that Depardieu was being pursued.
Source: theguardian.com
