Gerard Depardieu is 'sex attacker' who 'preys on weak', court in French 'Me Too' case told
Disgraced French actor Gérard Depardieu has been blasted in court for 'preying on the weak' as he faces allegations of sexually assaulting a producer
French movie star Gérard Depardieu has been described as a "sex attacker" who "preyed on the weak," a court has head. The movie star is currently on trial following allegations of sexually assaulting a female producer as well as a set designer. He denies all allegations made against him.
During a hearing on Thursday, a female lawyer said that he deserves punishment following the case which is the most high profile "French Me Too" to date. Gérard, 76, faces prison if he is found guilty of assaulting the assistant producer, 34, and the set designer, 54. During the case, their names have been changed for privacy and have been listed as Sarah and Amélie.
Both claim they were repeatedly sexually assaulted by Gérard during the production of The Green Shutters (Les Volets Verts) in 2021. On Thursday – the fourth day of the trial – barrister Carine Durrieu Diebolt, who was representing Amélie, said she was typical of victims who were "afraid to speak out."
Addressing the court, Durrieu Diebolt said: "These women are all technicians, doing minor jobs in the film industry. There's a risk of reprisals. They are afraid of speaking, of being blacklisted, of being viewed as troublemakers in the workplace." It comes just a day after actress Fanny Ardant defended Depardieu.
Durrieu Diebolt went on to add: "He didn't grope Fanny Ardant. He wouldn't have done that to Fanny Ardant. Mr Depardieu is strong with the weak and weak with the strong." She added that the case is similar to the Me Too movement, which saw dozens of women speak out about incidents within the entertainment industry.
Ms Durrieu Diebolt also claimed that other women would have pressed charges against Depardieu had it not been for the French statute of limitations, which prevents cases dating back more than a decade from being prosecuted. Addressing the panel of three magistrates who make up the professional jury in the case, Ms Durrieu Diebolt said: "If not for that, there would have been 20 women instead of two in court.
"Perhaps you consider that he's a great actor and you like his films, and you don’t see him as a sexual attacker, but he is also a man of wealth." Among those listening to the attack on Depardieu in court was his Czech girlfriend, Magda Vavrusova, as well as his ex-wife, Karine Silla.
Prosecutors have requested an 18-month suspended prison sentence for Depardieu, but judges have it in their power to impose a higher one, if there is a guilty verdict. Depardieu is also set to stand trial at a later date for allegedly raping French actress Charlotte Arnould, 29.
Her decision to go public led to up to 15 women reporting Depardieu for alleged crimes that could also end up in court. It was also announced last month that Depardieu is under criminal investigation for tax fraud and money laundering.
Sexual attacks are a huge issue in France right now, thanks to the #MeToo movement highlighting crimes by rich and powerful men, including actors, sportsmen, and other celebrities. A year ago, French President Emmanuel Macron sparked fury by defending Mr Depardieu.
Mr Macron appeared on a TV chat show and said he detested the actor being subjected to "a manhunt". The current Depardieu trial is expected to end on Friday, although the verdict may be withheld until later in the year.
The trial continues.
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