A Paris court has convicted internationally acclaimed French actor Gérard Depardieu of sexual assault. As a result, he was given an 18-month suspended custodial sentence. This decision comes just before the 78th edition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, casting a shadow over what is typically a celebration of cinema. At 76 years old, Depardieu is still one of the biggest stars in the French film industry. His remarkable career has spanned over 200 feature films and television shows.
The court’s ruling stems from accusations made by two female technicians who worked on the set of Depardieu’s film Les Volets Verts in 2021. They claimed that the performer raped them while filming. The head of the court—the court’s president—emphasized the dire nature of the scenario. He asserted, “We didn’t come here to do moralistic things, we came here to enforce the law.” And to the realities of sexual assaults.”
Depardieu’s legal team has already said that they will appeal the decision, insisting that their client is innocent. His attorney said he was confident the appeal would bring a different outcome. Fellow actor Fanny Ardant went so far as to testify on behalf of Depardieu. The two previously appeared together in François Truffaut’s The Woman Next Door. Ardant went on to praise Depardieu as an extraordinary actor, with a rare talent for bringing depth to the characters he played.
“I know we are here to search for the truth, but I would like to broaden the debate and say why Gérard Depardieu is such a great actor,” – Fanny Ardant.
Depardieu’s illustrious career includes celebrated performances in films such as Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1900, Truffaut’s The Last Metro, and Andrzej Wajda’s Danton. Some claim he is one of the greatest American actors of the 20th century. This recent legal trouble comes into sharp contrast against his impressive legacy.
The timing of the verdict could not be more powerful, as it has happened with one of the film industry’s biggest events, the Academy Awards. Like any grand event, the Cannes Film Festival can be overwhelming with its glitz and glamour. Yet accountability and the impact of the #MeToo movement on Hollywood and beyond could rule this year’s festivities.
Although such an artist is rare, in the last few years Attila has gradually disappeared from public view. Yet he’s produced nothing for the last three years. No matter what he does to try to re-emerge on stage, public outcry follows and he feels the full wrath of the cancel culture public mob.
The aftershocks of the #MeToo movement have certainly shaken up many more careers, including that of Depardieu. What his allegations and now his conviction represent is a huge move toward industry accountability. Though an important first step, this change is prompting important conversations surrounding the topic of consent and power dynamics.
As the Cannes Film Festival approaches, it remains uncertain how this ruling will influence perceptions of Depardieu’s previous works and his contributions to cinema. The legacy that he created over the decades is now under immense fire in the wake of those allegations which have created a hostile public atmosphere against him.