Gérard Depardieu will not appear in French court at his trial on sexual assault charges

Paris
AP
—

french actor Gerard Depardieuwho faces trial for allegedly sexually assaulting two women in a film shot in 2021, will not appear before a Paris criminal court on Monday for health reasons, his lawyer said.

Depardieu, who has denied any wrongdoing, is accused of using “violence, coercion, surprise or threat” in the alleged attacks, which prosecutors say took place on the set of “Les Volets verts” (“The Green Shutters”).

Lawyer Jérémie Assous stated that doctors say that the actor’s health does not allow him to appear at the opening of the trial on Monday.

Depardieu “is deeply affected and unfortunately his doctors do not allow him to appear at the hearing,” Assous told France Info radio.

Assous said he will ask the court for a postponement of the trial because his client “wants to come, he wants to express himself.”

Prosecutors say that in both cases, the women reported that the 75-year-old actor trapped them between his legs and touched their buttocks, genitals, chest and breasts over their clothing.

The trial was scheduled as France continues to grapple with sexual violence in the wake of the #MeToo movement that initially struggled to find traction, especially in the film industry.

About 100 people gathered outside the courthouse on Monday, some holding signs, responding to a call from several feminist groups to show support for victims of sexual violence. Some activists entered the courtroom and sat among other members of the general public who attended the hearings.

One of the reported victims has been identified as a 53-year-old production designer. The Associated Press generally does not identify victims of sexual assault without their consent.

According to Paris prosecutors, the woman told investigators that Depardieu had previously made sexual comments and then one day, as she walked past him, he “grabbed her, pulled her toward him, blocked her with his legs and touched her.” waist, hips and chest, accompanying his gestures with obscene comments.”

Prosecutors said three people witnessed what happened and that the woman tried to free herself from Depardieu’s grip and appeared “shocked.” A psychiatrist examined her and granted her seven days’ leave, they said.

After the incident, Depardieu was arranged to apologize. But in a television interview broadcast Saturday, the woman said the actor was furious and blamed her for causing trouble. Prosecutors said witnesses confirmed that what Depardieu had said did not constitute an apology.

In the interview with French online news site Mediapart, the production designer, who spoke on camera but gave only her first name, said the incident had affected her personal and professional life for at least a year and a half. He said he couldn’t sleep well, suffered anxiety attacks and lost weight.

According to prosecutors, the woman said it took her a while to file a complaint, but she decided to do so after hearing on television that there had never been any incidents during filming.

The month before the incident, another woman who worked on the film set had complained about Depardieu, prosecutors said.

An assistant director told investigators that Depardieu had touched her buttocks on several occasions. She said she had expressed her disapproval and, in return, Depardieu had insulted her. A psychiatrist also granted him six days’ leave.

Assous, Depardieu’s lawyer, told the AP in an email Saturday that “the witnesses and evidence that (Depardieu) will present will demonstrate that he is the target of false accusations.”

Many have supported Depardieu, including French President Emmanuel Macron.

Late last year, 56 French artists, writers and producers published an essay defending the film star, saying that when “Gérard Depardieu is attacked in this way, it is the art (of cinema) that is being attacked.”

His call came just weeks after national broadcaster France 2 published a documentary outlining allegations of sexual misconduct by 16 women against Depardieu, and showing the actor making obscene comments and gestures during a trip to North Korea. in 2018.

In the images, Depardieu can be seen making moans and sexual comments in front of women, including a girl of about 10 years old who is riding a horse. He can also be seen posing for a photo, saying he was “touching the butt” of a North Korean interpreter next to him.

He was charged in 2021 with rape and sexual assault after authorities revived a 2018 investigation that was initially dropped following accusations by actress Charlotte Arnould.

In an open letter published in the conservative newspaper Le Figaro, Depardieu said last year: “I have never, ever abused a woman.”

The actor was long considered a national icon in France. He has been a global ambassador of French cinema and enjoyed international fame with several roles in Hollywood.

Earlier this year, actress Judith Godrèche called on the French film industry to “face the truth” about sexual violence and physical abuse during the César Awards ceremony, France’s version of the Oscars.

Godrèche had previously alleged that two prominent filmmakers had sexually abused her when she was a teenager, causing further shocks in the industry.

More recently, the ongoing trial of 50 men accused of raping a woman who had been drugged and left unconscious by her husband shook the country. Protests spread across the country last weekend in support of the victim, a mother and grandmother in her 70s, who has become a hero to many victims of sexual violence for insisting that her trial be open to the public. public.