This is an archive article published on March 26, 2025
‘I grabbed her hips’: All you need to know about French actor Gérard Depardieu’s sexual assault trial
As per the testimony of the woman, she told the court that the Oscar nominated actor behaved like a “madman” who took “pleasure in frightening me.”
Actor Gerard Depardieu leaves the courtroom for a break during his trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
During a landmark trial in Paris, French actor Gérard Depardieu acknowledged that he aggressively subjected a woman and grabbed her hips who had accused her of sexual assault to vulgar and heated language, though Depardieu claimed that the act was not sexual and it was done to avoid slipping.
At the Paris criminal court, the French actor testified for the first time on Tuesday and said “I grabbed her hips.” The trial judge noted that the testimony of actor Depardieu has changed as during the police investigation, he had said that no physical contact took place with the 54-year-old set decorator.
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As per the testimony of the woman, she told the court that the Oscar nominated actor behaved like a “madman” who took “pleasure in frightening me.” The woman added that the French actor grabbed her hips and started “palpating” her behind and “in front, around.” “I tried to free myself, I tried to take his hands away, I couldn’t do it,” she testified.
Actor Gerard Depardieu, second right,, arrives at his trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, with his lawyer Jeremie Assous, right, in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Since the #MeToo movement, Depardieu has become the biggest French actor to face sexual assault allegations. It was during the filming of Les Volets Verts” (“The Green Shutters”) in 2021 when two co-workers of Depardieu alleged that he groped them on the set of the movie. But the French actor has denied assaulting the women.
Depardieu, in his defence during the court proceedings said, “I grabbed her hips so as not to slip because I was so upset by her, by the heat. It was a Friday, it was the end of a film shoot with a man who was very tired.” And later when the state prosecutor was cross examining, Depardieu stated “I placed my hands on the woman’s hips to speak to her.”
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If convicted of the charges levelled, French actor Depardieu faces jail of up to five years and a fine of 75,000 euros ($81,000). According to an AP report, the verdict in the sexual assault proceedings isn’t expected immediately after the trial.
Actor Gerard Depardieu leaves the courtroom for a break during his trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) 
Actor Gerard Depardieu, second right,, arrives at his trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, with his lawyer Jeremie Assous, right, in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
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