Reuters
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One of the main faces of French films, film star Gerald Despardoux faces a trial in 2018 that allegedly raped actress Charlotte Arnold, and deals the latest blow to his reputation after being convicted of sexual assault earlier this year.
Arnould first accused DePardieu of rape in 2018, saying that the attack occurred at his Paris home on two occasions in his early 20s. Depardieu, 76, denied any fraud in the incident.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed Tuesday that an investigative judge ruled that Arnel should send the case to the court after posting the news on her Instagram account. No court date was given.
“I think I’m having a hard time realizing how big this is. I’m relieved,” writes Arnoll.
Lawyers for Arnould and Depardieu did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
After first rising to prominence with “Going Places” in 1974 and appearing in French film scores, Depardieu has been at the heart of more and more sexual assault allegations in recent years.
Actress and former ballet dancer Arnold, 29, was known for her work in theater and voice acting, but when she attended court in May, Depardou was convicted in another case of sexually assaulting two women on a film set and handing her 18 months in prison.
During that trial, Depardieu’s lawyer called her a liar in court.
In her Instagram post Tuesday, Arnould mentioned these comments, calling Depardieu’s defense “a ridiculous… there’s no need to reveal the truth.”
Arnold’s case was first removed, but resumed in 2020, with prosecutors demanding DePaldio’s trial in 2022.
Since then, Arnold has become the voice of the French #MeToo movement, expressing solidarity with victims of sexual assault and demanding accountability in the film industry.
