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Gérard Depardieu Taken into Police Custody over Sexual Assault Allegations

Gérard Depardieu has been taken into police custody on 29 April 2024 to be questioned over allegations of sexual assault by two women. The French actor had previously made disturbing statements in interviews and received numerous sexual assault allegations, but has never been convicted. By Ching Wai.

France - One of the most prolific French actors in film history, Gérard Depardieu, has been detained by police in Paris for questioning over allegations of sexual assault. Depardieu’s lawyer reported that the actor had presented himself at the police station on 29 April.

The allegations were from two women. Both incidents allegedly happened on film sets - the first was on the set of The Magician and the Siamese (2015), and the second was on the set of The Green Shutters (2022).

Depardieu had previously made disturbing statements relating to sexual assault in interviews, and faced several sexual assault allegations and charges. In 2018, the then 22 year old actress and dancer Charlotte Arnould accused Depardieu of rape. After being dismissed and refiled multiple times, the case currently remains open, and will either be brought to trial or dismissed.

In April 2023, 13 women accused Depardieu of sexually inappropriate behaviour. The women included actresses, make-up artists and production staff who have worked with Depardieu across 11 films released between 2004 and 2022.

Most recently, actress Hélène Darras’ accusations against Depardieu of sexual assault in December 2023 were dropped by French prosecutors in January this year due to the incident having happened outside of the statute of limitations. Darras claimed the assault happened during the filming of Disco (2007), when Darras was 26 and an extra for the film.

Many influential figures have come forward and defended Depardieu. French President Emmanuel Macron defended Depardieu to be innocent until proven guilty, but later added he should have emphasised the importance of women speaking up. 56 French stars and producers, many of whom were from Depardieu’s generation, signed and defended Depardieu in an open letter published in December 2023.

The 75 year old actor denied all accusations, stating in October, “Never ever have I abused a woman.” Depardieu was never convicted in connection to any of the sexual assault allegations made against him.

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