French courts may finally be taking years of complaints about sexual violence seriously, advocates and experts say.

For over half a century, Gérard Depardieu stood as a towering figure in French cinema, a titan known for his commanding physical presence, instinct, sensibility and remarkable versatility.

We're replacing BBC Sounds outside the UK and bringing you BBC.com, a seamless way to read, watch, and listen - all in one place.

French cinema icon Gérard Depardieus decades-long legacy is now marred by scandal and eccentricities—from public urination on a plane to adopting Russian citizenship. Once celebrated for his magnetic performances,

Actor Gerard Depardieu, center, who is facing trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, arrives Monday, March 24, 2025, in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) A plaintiff speaks with the media outside a Paris court,