Gérard Depardieu denies assault allegations in court and criticizes MeToo movement

Gérard Depardieu, a renowned French actor once considered a national treasure, has recently been accused of sexual assault. During his trial in Paris, he strongly denied the allegations, rejecting any claims of "fondling" women and criticized the MeToo movement, calling it a "terror" that could potentially cause fear among people. The 76-year-old actor made his first statement on the second day of his trial, asserting that he did not recognize the behavior being attributed to him. He also stated that he was unfamiliar with the vices described in the accusations.

The allegations stem from an incident in 2021 on the set of the film Les Volets verts, where one of the plaintiffs, Amélie, a set designer, claims that Depardieu assaulted her, touching her inappropriately. Depardieu, however, offered a different account, recalling his frustration during the shoot and claiming that any physical interaction was accidental. He further explained that his actions were unintentional and justified by the circumstances.

When questioned about alleged crude remarks he made towards Amélie, Depardieu denied any ill intent, claiming that such language was common for him, even humorously directed at himself. On the other hand, Amélie provided a contrasting narrative, describing Depardieu's aggressive behavior and his inappropriate comments.

During her testimony, Amélie detailed how Depardieu allegedly touched her forcefully, pinning her down and making sexual remarks. Despite the three-year gap between the alleged assault and the filing of the complaint, Amélie explained that she was unsure how to classify the situation at the time and feared the consequences of speaking out, as it could have jeopardized her career.

Depardieu also expressed disdain for the MeToo movement, suggesting that it could lead to a dangerous societal shift and claiming that women involved in such movements should reflect on their actions. The trial continues, with Depardieu facing multiple accusations from other women, although many of these cases have been closed due to the statute of limitations.