Gerard Depardieu is greater than only a family identify in France.
The actor has starred in over 200 movies – he is the face of French cinema for all generations.
As he entered a crowded court docket on Monday in Paris, dressed all in black, he turned each head within the room.
The 76-year-old limped in direction of the entrance benches, propping himself up on court docket furnishings alongside the best way.
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Gerard Depardieu pictured at court docket in Paris on Monday. Pic: Reuters
It was the primary day of a trial anticipated to final two or three days.
The actor faces expenses of sexually assaulting two girls on the set of French film Les Volets Verts (The Inexperienced Shutters) in 2021 – allegations he denies.
Round 100 protesters from France’s #MeToo motion got here to indicate their help outdoors the court docket for the alleged victims.
Contained in the court docket, there was a visual presence of Depardieu’s supporters.
Followers of the star took up public seats within the chamber, in addition to French A-list actors Vincent Perez and Fanny Ardant, the latter confirming she would testify as a witness for the defence.
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Fanny Ardant is about to testify as a witness for the defence. Pic: Reuters
All through the listening to, Depardieu repeatedly confronted the alleged victims and seemed them within the eyes, nodding through the opening arguments delivered by his legal professionals.
Electrical exchanges
There have been electrical exchanges between the authorized groups, because the actor’s lawyer Jeremie Assous requested the case be withdrawn resulting from a scarcity of proof and witnesses offered by the prosecution.
The legal professionals for the prosecution, in flip, complained that the profile of Depardieu gave him an unfair benefit, criticising the decide for permitting the defence nearly two hours for his or her opening assertion.
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Anouk Grinberg talks to reporters outdoors the courtroom. Pic: AP
Tempers flared through the listening to, with actress Anouk Grinberg, who had come to indicate help for the alleged victims, ejected from the chamber for contempt.
The trial continues, with Depardieu anticipated to talk on Tuesday.
