French cinema icon Gérard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of Les Volets Verts in 2021. On May 13, 2025, a Paris court sentenced the 76-year-old actor to an 18-month suspended prison term, imposed a fine of €29,040, and mandated his registration on France’s national sex offender list.

The victims, a set decorator and an assistant director, testified that Depardieu groped them on set. One described feeling terrified as he laughed during the incident. Depardieu denied the charges, admitting to being “provocative” but not criminal. His legal team announced plans to appeal, which temporarily suspends the penalties.

The court criticized Depardieu’s failure to understand consent and condemned his lawyer’s aggressive defense tactics, which were viewed as humiliating to the victims. Initially supported by figures like Catherine Deneuve and President Emmanuel Macron, Depardieu now faces widespread condemnation. Gender Equality Minister Aurore Bergé praised the ruling as a stand against abuse.

This conviction is part of a broader reckoning in the French entertainment industry, with over 20 women accusing Depardieu of misconduct between 2004 and 2022. A parliamentary inquiry has highlighted systemic abuse in the arts sector. Depardieu’s conviction marks a significant moment in France’s #MeToo movement, challenging the impunity of powerful figures in the arts. As legal proceedings continue, the case underscores the importance of accountability and the evolving standards of conduct in the industry.