French film legend Gérard Depardieu, 76, appeared in court today as the highly anticipated sexual assault trial of the nature of biointoxication officially started. This will be the first time he will stand trial despite long list of allegations ahead of him in recent years.
The allegations pertain to incidents while filming in 2021 for “Les Volets Verts” (The Green Shutters), and prosecutors claim Depardieu sexually assaulted two women. The allegations include unwanted physical contact as well as the use of obscene language, and reportedly three witnesses witnessed one of the incidents.
Depardieu’s lawyer Jeremie Assous meanwhile reconfirmed the actor’s innocence, telling French radio RMC, “He has of course always denied it.” Assous said Depardieu, despite health worries that had caused a postponed hearing, will present during the three-day trial. 
The boyfriend of one of the actresses’ lawyer revealed that his client was initially too scared to come forward against the powerful actor. The second woman’s lawyers have not spoken publicly.
Depardieu’s trial is set to be a watershed moment for France’s #MeToo movement. Though the movement began taking on a swift pace in the U.S., it has been met with weaker gains in France. But past major convictions such as film-maker Christophe Ruggia suggest a possible change in direction for the country in the fight against sexual violence.
As the trial continues, all eyes are back to whether or not this trial will hijack the conversation about accountability in France’s entertainment industry.
