Who is Charlotte Arnould? Actress who accused Depardieu of rape reacts to his conviction

French actress and former ballet dancer Charlotte Arnould, who publicly accused Gérard Depardieu of raping her in 2018, has expressed support for the two women he was convicted of sexually assaulting.


Arnould, now in her early 30s, filed a complaint in 2018, accusing the legendary actor of raping and sexually assaulting her at his home in Paris. She said the incidents happened when she was in her early 20s. Though the case was initially dropped, it was reopened in 2020 and remains under investigation.


Also Read: Lights, camera… conviction: Gérard Depardieu convicted of sexual assault


Following Depardieu’s conviction on Tuesday for sexually assaulting two other women — Amélie, a set decorator, and Sarah, an assistant director.


Proving her solidarity and patience, as she waits for her case to move forward, Arnould posted a short but powerful message on her Instagram story: “Immense pensée à Amélie et à Sarah,” which translates into “Immense thought to Amélie and Sarah.”


The Paris court gave Depardieu an 18-month suspended sentence and ordered him to register as a sex offender. Arnould, who has bravely identified herself publicly despite the trauma, has been a vocal figure in the ongoing debate about sexual violence in the French film industry.


Her case remains unresolved, but this latest verdict may open the Pandora's box of complaints against Gérard Depardieu. Interestingly, more than 20 women have accused him of sexual misconduct or assault.


On the one hand, Gérard Depardieu remains a giant in French movies, supported by his influential friends worldwide. On the other hand, the #MeToo movement created the trend of speaking up in US society, but hasn’t impacted France much. This conviction may create social shake up, which many like Charlotte await.