In a landmark ruling, French actor Gérard Depardieu has been convicted of sexual assault, triggering widespread debate about the implications for the #MeToo movement in France. The trial not only put Depardieu in the spotlight but also brought attention to the longstanding cultural resistance against addressing sexual violence in the country.
Emmanuelle Dancourt, president of the advocacy group #MeTooMedia, emphasized that this was not just about Depardieu but was indicative of a larger systemic issue. She described the trial as a confrontation with a culture of silence and a long-standing tradition of overlooking sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry.
Depardieu, known for his celebrated film roles, was found guilty of groping two female colleagues during the shooting of "Les Volets Verts" in 2022. The court has subsequently issued an 18-month suspended sentence, mandated that he pay over 39,000 euros (approximately $43,000) in damages, and placed his name on the national sex offender registry.
Despite his lawyer's announcement of plans to appeal the conviction, many in France's feminist community are celebrating this ruling as a rare but significant win. Since the initiation of the #MeToo movement in 2017, calls for accountability have increased, but prosecutions have often remained limited. As such, the conviction of someone as high-profile as Depardieu is being viewed as a vital step forward.
This ruling follows another significant verdict earlier this year, where director Christophe Ruggia was similarly convicted for sexually assaulting actress Adèle Haenel when she was a minor—an indication that the tide might be turning against well-known perpetrators.
With this landmark case, advocates hope to encourage more victims to come forward and to foster a cultural shift toward greater recognition and accountability for sexual violence in France.
