Actor is being tried in Paris for allegedly sexually assaulted two women during the recordings of a movie in 2021
The French prosecution requested, on Thursday (27), an arrest sentence with suspension of the 18-month penalty for the film star, which is being tried to allegedly admit two women during the recordings of a film in 2021. “This is materially and intentionally a sexual aggression,” said prosecutor Laurent Guy during his final allegations, before requesting an arrest sentence with 18-month sursses for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for the actor for 76 years old.
The prosecutor emphasized that the plaintiffs were “women in a position of social inferiority” compared to an actor who “enjoys notoriety, aura and monumental status in French cinema.” In addition to a fine of 20,000 euros (US $ 21,500, R $ 123,000) and indemnity to the plaintiffs, the prosecutor requested that Depardieu undergo psychological treatment and be registered in the registration of authors of sexual crimes.
The actor has always claimed his innocence during the four days of judgment, stating that although it is “vulgar, rude and faded,” he did not commit any sexual aggression during the recordings of “Les Volets Verts.” Amélie, a 54 -year -old set designer, and Sarah (pseudonym), a 34 -year -old assistant, accuse him of sexist aggression and harassment, as well as sexist insults during the filming of Jean Becker’s film.
The prosecution’s arguments “prove the defendant’s fault,” said Carine Durrieu Diebolt, lawyer of one of the plaintiffs. For Departieu’s lawyer, Jérémie Assous, “are simply lies.” Depardieu, who has made over 200 films and television series, is the most prominent figure to face accusations of sexual violence in French cinema response to #Metoo, a movement he described as “terror.” The actor, who gained international fame for his role in “Cyrano de Bergerac”, did not respond to the prosecution’s request, but minutes earlier told an AFP camera that he was “tired”.
“More serious than what?”
Throughout the trial, the first against him for this type of crime, Depardieu defended his innocence: “I don’t see why I would waste my time to feel a woman, her back, her breasts. I’m not a subway pervert,” he said. He admitted to grabbing Amélie by the hips “not to slip” from the bank during a discussion about the movie’s scenery. The applicant’s version is different. “He closes his legs and grabs my hips,” said Amélie, remembering the actor’s “strength”, “his big face,” “his red, very excited eyes” and his words: “Come and tap my great umbrella. I will enable him in his pussy!”.
Sarah, in turn, reported that the actor has touched his buttocks and breasts on several occasions, although she said clearly “no” in the last twice. “I did not commit sexual aggression; aggression is more serious than that,” he said on Wednesday about Sarah’s case. “More serious than what?” Asked the lawyer, Claude Vincent. “More serious than a hand in the ass. Well, I didn’t touch her ass,” he replied Depardieu.
“Apology to Sexism”
For Claude Vincent, “It is neither Jean Valjean, nor Cyrano de Bergerac, nor the men who interpreted. He is Gérard Depardieu and is misogynist!” The lawyers also took the opportunity to denounce the multiple attacks they and their clients received during the trial, including by the lawyer of Depardieu, who called their clients “hysterics”. “For four days, we did not watch a defense strategy,” but “apology for sexism,” said Vincent.
In addition to the trial, which may lead him to face up to five years in prison, 20 women accuse the international star for similar behaviors, but most complaints were filed because the alleged crimes have prescribed. French actress Charlotte Arnould was the first to file a complaint. In August, the Paris Prosecutor’s Office requested that the actor be tried for rape and sexual assaults.
Posted by Luisa Cardoso
*With information from AFP
