In a historic decision, the renowned French actor Gérard Depardieu was found guilty of sexual assault, forcing Hollywood’s elites to face a reckoning on a global scale. The demise of the once-protected star shows that even powerful people who are adored by the political establishment are now subject to responsibility for their deeds.
French Star Faces Justice Despite Elite Support
Gérard Depardieu, one of France’s most celebrated actors, was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of “Les Volets Verts” in 2021. The 75-year-old actor, whose career spans decades and includes an Oscar nomination for “Cyrano de Bergerac,” received an 18-month suspended prison sentence and will be listed in France’s national sex offender database.
French movie star Gérard Depardieu on Tuesday was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on the set of a movie in which he starred and was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence by a Paris court. https://t.co/wl6439i3ir
— PBS News (@NewsHour) May 13, 2025
Despite previously receiving praise from French President Emmanuel Macron, who once said, “he makes France proud,” Depardieu now faces the consequences of his actions. The court rejected Depardieu’s explanations and noted his aggressive defense strategy, finding his behavior showed a complete lack of understanding about consent and the traumatic impact on his victims.
🎬⚖️ On Tuesday, French movie star Gérard #Depardieu was found guilty of sexual assault on film set, and given an 18-month suspended prison sentence.@_51percent's host @AnnetteF24 explains what it says about attitudes towards sexual assault in France pic.twitter.com/trRo8u4Nok
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) May 13, 2025
This conviction marks a significant turning point for the #MeToo movement in France, a country often criticized for its lenient attitudes toward sexual misconduct by powerful men. The case represents the most high-profile #MeToo conviction in the French court system, challenging the longstanding culture of silence and protection within the French film industry.
Victims Finally Receive Validation
One of Depardieu’s accusers, a set dresser from the film, expressed her relief following the verdict, stating: “I’m very moved. That’s a victory for me, really, and a big progress, a step forward.” Her lawyer, Carine Durrieu Diebolt, emphasized the broader implications of the ruling, declaring: “It is the victory of two women, and it is the victory of all women beyond this trial.”
The conviction comes despite support for Depardieu from influential figures in French cinema, including actors Vincent Perez and Fanny Ardant. Judge Thierry Donard delivered a scathing assessment of Depardieu’s behavior, stating: “He does not seem to have grasped either the concept of consent or the deleterious and traumatic consequences of his behavior towards the women he assaulted.”
More Legal Troubles Ahead
Depardieu’s legal troubles are far from over as he still faces another trial related to a separate rape investigation involving actor Charlotte Arnould. The timing of this conviction coincided with the opening of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, sending a powerful message to an industry long criticized for protecting its stars at the expense of victims.
“Today, we hope to see the end of impunity for an artist in cinema. I think that with this decision, we can no longer say that he is not a sexual abuser. And today, as the Cannes Film Festival opens, I’d like the film world to spare a thought for Gérard Depardieu’s victims.”
While Depardieu has denied any wrongdoing and his lawyers have announced plans to appeal the court’s decision, this verdict is a watershed moment for accountability in the French entertainment industry. The case has sparked a broader conversation about the protection of women in workplaces across France. It represents a cultural shift from the traditional dismissal of such allegations against powerful men.
Sources:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/05/metoo-french-style-film-star-gerard-depardieu-convicted/