Depardieu's Sexual Assault Trial Resumes in Paris

French actor Gérard Depardieu is currently on trial in Paris, facing allegations of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of 'Les Volets Verts' ('The Green Shutters') in 2021. The accusations involve inappropriate touching and obscene remarks, with potential penalties including up to five years in prison and a €75,000 fine if convicted. Depardieu, 76, denies the allegations, claiming he is not in the habit of groping women and describing such actions as alien to him. This trial is significant as it represents a major #MeToo case in France, a nation where the movement has struggled to gain the same momentum as in the United States. Depardieu's lawyer has criticized the investigation as unfair, seeking to annul the proceedings. The trial is being closely watched as a test of France's willingness to hold influential figures accountable for sexual violence.