Gérard Depardieu, a celebrated French actor, is on trial for allegations of sexual assault against two women. Facing potential prison time and fines, he adamantly denies the charges, claiming he only displays excessive love and generosity. This trial reveals deeper societal issues in France concerning sexual misconduct, mirroring broader cultural tensions. As citizens debate the nature of flirting and charm, the case points toward an urgent examination of consent in a country grappling with its values and the legacy of its artistic icons.
"Never, but never, have I abused a woman," he wrote in Le Figaro. "I have only ever been guilty of being too loving, too generous, or having a temperament that is too strong."
This is not just the trial of Gérard Depardieu. This is the trial of a country - and whether its unfinished revolution will finish at last.
We're losing our culture of flirtation," said Alain Morel, 62, sipping an espresso at a café near the Arc de Triomphe. "Flirting isn't a crime - it's part of who we are."
We called it charm," she said, referring to an older perspective on behavior that now raises questions of consent and boundaries.
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