Overview

• Gérard Depardieu, one of France's most renowned actors, was convicted of sexually assaulting two women on a 2021 film set and received an 18-month suspended sentence. He denies the charges and is appealing.
• The judge in the case ordered compensation for the complainants, citing 'secondary victimisation' caused by the defense's harsh tactics, setting a legal precedent in France.
• The Cannes Film Festival barred actor Théo Navarro-Mussy, accused of rape by multiple women, from attending the premiere of his film, marking a significant shift in its policies on misconduct.
• France’s #MeToo movement gained momentum with these developments, challenging the long-standing cultural tolerance for misconduct by artistic icons under the 'l’exception culturelle' ethos.
• Despite progress, systemic barriers persist as fewer than 3% of reported rapes in France result in convictions, highlighting the need for broader legal and cultural reforms.