PARIS (AP) — Actor Gérard Depardieu acknowledged Tuesday that he used crude and heated language round a lady who accuses him of sexual assault and grabbed her hips however denied assaulting her, as he testified for the primary time at his landmark trial in Paris.
“I understand perfectly if she’s a bit upset,” he stated of the set dresser he labored with on a film in 2021. He acknowledged that he generally has a potty mouth, telling the courtroom: “I am capable of trash talk.” And he admitted that he was mistaken to make use of heated language with the lady after they had an on-set argument a couple of portray.
“I don’t have to speak like that, get indignant like that, voilà,” he stated in his gruff, deep voice so acquainted to international cinemagoers.
The 76-year-old former Oscar nominee has denied sexual assault allegations filed by the 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant. The ladies allege that he groped them throughout filming in 2021 of “Les Volets Verts” (“The Green Shutters”). The actor faces as much as 5 years in jail and a fantastic of 75,000 euros ($81,000) if convicted.
Depardieu acknowledged that he did “seize the hips” of the set dresser throughout their argument on set about whether or not a portray was good or dangerous artwork.
However he stated his gesture hadn’t been ill-intentioned and argued that she hadn’t appeared supplied, saying: “She didn’t answer as if I was assaulting her.”
He acknowledged that generally his conduct is considered boorish.
“I’ve always been told I have a Russian nature, I don’t know if it’s because of the drinking or the vulgarity,” he stated.
However he stated he isn’t a predator. “I’m not touching the butts of women,” he stated.
Due to Depardieu’s fame and impression on the French film business, his trial is seen as an vital take a look at of French willingness to confront sexual violence and maintain influential males accountable.
