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Accuser tells court actor Gérard Depardieu groped her bottom, breasts on film set

French actor Gérard Depardieu leaves for a break during his trial in Paris for alleged sexual assault, 26 March, 2025
French actor Gérard Depardieu leaves for a break during his trial in Paris for alleged sexual assault, 26 March, 2025 Copyright  AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard
Copyright AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard
By Gavin Blackburn with AP
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This week's trial is the first time one of the more than 20 accusations of sexual misconduct against Gérard Depardieu has reached court.

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A woman accusing French actor Gérard Depardieu of sexual assault has told a court in Paris that he groped her buttocks and breasts several times on a film set.

Three other accusers said at the trial they had suffered similar gestures in separate incidents.

Depardieu is alleged to have assaulted a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant during filming in 2021 of "Les Volets Verts" (The Green Shutters).

He denies all the claims.

The third day of the trial focused on the testimony of the younger plaintiff, who detailed three separate incidents.

French actor Gérard Depardieu arrives with his lawyer Jérémie Assous (right) at his trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, 26 March, 2025
French actor Gérard Depardieu arrives with his lawyer Jérémie Assous (right) at his trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, 26 March, 2025 AP Photo

She said Depardieu first groped her bottom when she was alone with him for a brief moment as they were heading towards the film set.

"Out of the blue, he put his hand on my butt," she said, adding she said nothing because she was "under shock" and "petrified."

In a second incident, she said Depardieu suddenly put both his hands on her breasts.

"I said 'No.' I was scared." She also described telling Depardieu "no" during a third similar incident.

The woman said she reported the issue to her direct manager, who then alerted others in charge of the film production, prompting anger from the actor.

She said she then "minimised" the issue because she wanted to continue to do her job, adding she aimed at "handling it on her own, be strong."

French actor Gérard Depardieu’s lawyer Jérémie Assous answers reporter questions in Paris, 26 March, 2025
French actor Gérard Depardieu’s lawyer Jérémie Assous answers reporter questions in Paris, 26 March, 2025 AP Photo

She later decided to file a formal complaint out of solidarity with the other plaintiff and because, she said, "I want people to hear the truth."

Depardieu repeatedly denied the allegations in court on Wednesday, saying, "I'm not like that."

"I think that maybe, I don't know, she was wary because of my reputation of being vulgar, crude, rude," Depardieu said. "But I'm not only that. I still respect people."

The actor also told the court that he is almost always accompanied by aides on the film set, including his body guard, and suggested that he would rarely find himself alone with a film worker.

This week's trial is the first time one of the more than 20 accusations of misconduct against Depardieu has reached court.

Some cases were dropped because of a lack of evidence or the statute of limitations.

But some figures in the French cinema world have expressed their support for Depardieu.

Actor Fanny Ardant arrives to testify as actor Gérard Depardieu goes on trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women, 26 March, 2025
Actor Fanny Ardant arrives to testify as actor Gérard Depardieu goes on trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women, 26 March, 2025 AP Photo

French actor Fanny Ardant, who described herself as a long-time friend of the actor, agreed his words may be rude and vulgar, yet said she never witnessed any gesture she found "shocking."

"What I want to say in this courtroom is that I know that the world has changed, that society has changed, that standards are no longer the same," Ardant said.

"There are things we've tolerated that are no longer tolerable."

The trial continues on Thursday and the verdict is expected at a later date.

The actor faces up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 if convicted.

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