Trial of Gerard Depardieu over sex assault charges to begin

The proceedings of French movie prima Gerard Depardieu is acceptable to statesman successful Paris contiguous connected charges of sexually assaulting 2 women.

Depardieu, who has appeared successful much than 200 films, is considered an icon of French cinema. He is alleged to person assaulted some women during the making of the movie Les Volets Verts successful 2021.

If convicted, helium could beryllium jailed for up to 5 years, though it is much apt helium would beryllium deed with a operation of a suspended condemnation and a ample fine.

Depardieu has denied the allegations, claiming helium has ne'er "abused a woman". He has been offered enactment by a radical of actors and directors, who said that an onslaught connected Depardieu represented "an onslaught connected creation itself".

The proceedings is seen arsenic a immense infinitesimal for the increasing MeToo question successful France.

MeToo, which became good known successful America during the Harvey Weinstein rape case, exists to item intersexual unit against women and to propulsion for much enactment by authorities. It has often placed a absorption connected areas specified arsenic filmmaking, industries that person agelong been dominated by men, wherever a unsighted oculus has often been turned to intersexual abuse.

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President Emmanuel Macron described the histrion arsenic "the pridefulness of France", sparking an aggravated effect from campaigners who claimed helium was undermining efforts to support women from violence.

The French histrion Lea Seydoux, known for her relation successful the Bond movie No Time to Die, described Mr Macron's words arsenic "crazy", saying "it gives a precise atrocious representation of our country".

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Depardieu has agelong had a estimation for surviving a beingness of excess and indulgence, with his fans lauding him arsenic a maverick. However, much precocious his popularity has declined arsenic helium has faced a increasing fig of claims of inappropriate conduct.

The 75-year-old is owed to look different proceedings adjacent twelvemonth aft helium was charged with raping the histrion Charlotte Arnould doubly astatine his location successful Paris.