French movie star Gerard Depardieu admitted in court that he grabbed a woman by the hips but denied it constituted sexual assault, attributing his crude remarks to being in a bad mood.
The plaintiff, Amelie K, a set decorator, testified that Depardieu groped her while trapping her between his legs and making explicit sexual comments during the filming of a movie in 2021. She described how he touched her body all over, including her breasts, and expressed her terror as he laughed during the incident.
A prominent figure in French cinema, Depardieu, 76, has faced multiple sexual assault allegations in recent years. This trial represents the highest-profile #MeToo case in France’s media industry. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Depardieu acknowledged in court that he indeed grabbed Amelie K by the hips but claimed it was not meant as groping, stating instead that he did it to avoid slipping, as he was tired and upset. When confronted with inconsistencies in his accounts, he responded, "If you say so."
He expressed discomfort with societal changes, stating, "I think my time is over." If convicted, Depardieu could face up to five years in prison and a €75,000 ($81,000) fine.
The second day of the trial featured dramatic exchanges, including Depardieu's lawyer interrupting and yelling at Amelie K's lawyer. Depardieu also denounced what he described as the "hysteria" surrounding some women's responses. He claimed to have mentioned Amelie K's job performance to her, while she contended that his comments were repeatedly crude and sexual.
Amelie K stated that someone eventually intervened, freeing her from Depardieu's grasp. Prosecutors provided a similar account, describing a sexual assault seen by three witnesses. They indicated that assaults on Amelie K and another unidentified woman occurred during the filming of "Les Volets Verts."
Depardieu's lawyer, Jeremie Assous, labeled the accusations false and suggested bias among investigators. Support for Depardieu among French actors is divided, with some ready to testify in his defense while others back the plaintiffs.
At the time of the alleged assaults, Depardieu was already under investigation due to a complaint by actress Charlotte Arnould, who attended the trial. The Paris prosecutor's office had previously indicated that Depardieu should face trial over Arnould's allegations, which he continues to deny. An investigative judge will ultimately decide on the potential trial regarding those claims.