Gérard Depardieu faces new sexual assault allegation
French actor Gérard Depardieu faces a new allegation of sexual assault after a set designer accused him of grabbing and touching her breasts in 2021.
The complainant, a 53-year-old woman named Amélie, alleges the incident took place when they worked on The Green Shutters, which was released in 2022. At this stage, Depardieu is yet to comment on this specific case, but in an open letter published in October, he wrote: “I have never, ever abused a woman.”
Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, Amélie’s lawyer, confirmed to French television on February 26th that the complainant is accusing the actor of sexual assault, sexual harassment and using sexist insults.
Durrieu-Diebolt claimed to BFMTV that her client was “passing through a corridor where Mr Depardieu was sitting” when the incident occurred.
“He grabbed her, trapped her between his legs and touched her body up to her breasts. She felt completely powerless, incapable of escaping this trap,” the lawyer continued. The alleged incident was stopped by other people who worked on set.
The allegations arrive weeks after French actor Judith Godréche officially filed a report to the police accusing director Benoit Jacquot of rape, who denies any wrongdoing.
The actor said of her complaint to Le Monde: “It’s a story like the stories of children who are kidnapped. I would have liked Benoît to accept being my friend, rather than taking me. I didn’t want his body. Very quickly, he disgusted me.”
Additionally, on February 23rd, French cultural minister Rachida Dati condemned the country’s film industry for “collectively turning a blind eye for decades” to sexual abuse and violence.
“This should be the beginning of profound soul-searching for French cinema. There is no impunity in the name of art,” she told The French Film.
This is a developing story.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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