Justice is expected to be brought to two women today during the filming in 2021. The 76 -year -old accused actress did not appear in court last October, citing health reasons, which this time does not seem to be. The famous French artist has been accused, in the context of the movement, of similar behaviors (sexual harassment or attack) by about 20 women, but several procedures have been closed due to limitation.
French actress Charlotte Arnul was the first to file a lawsuit in 2018. Last August, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office requested his referral to trial for rape and sexual assault, but the responsible investigator has not decided on the outcome of the case.
The leading star of French cinema with more than 200 films and television series in his possession, has denied the accusations saying that “never, never, I have been abused.” The two women who have complained to him, a 34 -year -old assistant director and a 54 -year -old stage designer worked in the film Les Volets Verts, released in 2022, also starring Anouk Grenberk and Fanny Ardan.
In the film, Depardieu plays a role that seemed to suit him perfectly: a famous actor at the height of his reputation, but paid by age and years of luxurious living. The film was balanced between reality and fiction.
“I was scratching my waist, belly and chest” – “Imine my buttocks”
On February 23, 2024, the 54 -year -old stage designer Amelie filed a lawsuit against the actor for “sexual assault”, “sexual harassment” and “sexist insults”.
Speaking to the Mediapart research, she described how Depardieu “violently grabbed” her in a corridor, stopping her “closing her on his feet like a crab” and began to “knead her waist, belly and chest”. Amelie said the actor’s bodyguards stopped the attack. She also argued that Deardieu shouted by leaving: “We will be found again, my love!”
Next month, on March 21, another complaint of sexual assault was filed during the film production. The 34 -year -old assistant director Sarah accused Deardieu of “slapping her buttocks” one night as they walked from his dressing room to the plate.
“Shocked,” he admitted to Mediapart that “he said nothing”. According to her statements, the actress touched her inappropriately in two other cases, despite her efforts to prevent him.
The two women said they had alerted the production of the film, but she did not seem to realize the seriousness of the situation.
“It took me a long time to overcome it,” Amelie later said. “I had lost a lot of weight and I was exhausted.”
‘Victim of slander and false accusations’, the actor’s support line
His lawyer said the actor was a “victim of completely false accusations” and a “real slander campaign”.
“He is tried for a physical attack, but there is no witness,” his lawyer said in October 2023.
Although director Jean Beker said he had nothing to know about Dardieu’s inappropriate behavior in shooting, actress Anouk Grenberk accused him of “cowardice”, arguing that he “knew very well that two women had been seriously attacked”.
“In some films with Depardieu, the team was warned before filming:” If there is the slightest problem, don’t talk. If you speak, you are fired, “Grenberk argued.
Categories and French #MeToo
At this time, Depardieu is facing six separate lawsuits, two for rape and four for sexual assault.
The scandal, the largest that has erupted in France as part of the #Metoo movement, has caused an earthquake in the country’s cultural circles.
In 2023, an open letter was published that denounced the actor’s “transgression” by the media, followed by an opponent article calling for the voices of the alleged victims to be heard.
Even French President Emmanuel Macron has sparked reactions, stating that Deardieu is a “huge actor” who “made France proud”.
