Veteran French actor Gérard Depardieu admitted touching a female plaintiff on the hip on Tuesday, the second day of his trial for sexual assault in Paris, but denied any sexual intent.
Depardieu told the court that the incident had occurred during filming “Les Volets Verts” (“The Green Shutters”) by director Jean Becker in 2021 as he tried to prevent himself sliding off the box he was sitting on during a break.
Asked whether the contact had been of a sexual nature, he responded: “I do not believe so.”
The 76-year-old actor added: “I was angry, and it was hot.” He said he had been annoyed because the woman had described the painting they had been discussing as a bad picture.
He added that he did not really know why he had touched the woman and that he had heard of the allegations only later when in police custody.
The case concerns accusations by two women that Depardieu touched them in intimate areas against their will during filming.
The first woman accused the actor of trapping her in a corridor, touching her breasts, buttocks and genitals, and making obscene comments. She filed a lawsuit against him in February 2024 for sexual assault, harassment and sexist insults.
The second woman, an assistant to the director, also accused Depardieu of touching her breasts and buttocks on the film set and, previously, of harassing her. She filed suit in March 2024.
While judgement could be passed on Tuesday, prosecutors believe that it will likely be delayed to a later date.
If found guilty, Depardieu faces up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 ($81,600), according to the Paris public prosecutor’s office. Depardieu has denied all charges.
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