PARIS — Celebrated French actress Anouk Grinberg has remarked that the sexual assault trial involving fellow actor Gérard Depardieu signifies the gradual yet critical shift towards acknowledging sexual abuse in France, particularly within the film industry, following years of silence surrounding the issue.

At a press conference on Monday, which was initially intended to herald the beginning of Depardieu’s trial, Grinberg, 61, shared her thoughts. However, the proceedings were delayed until March due to concerns about the health of the 75-year-old actor. Grinberg, who has collaborated with Depardieu on various projects since their first appearance together in a 1991 film, is particularly concerned about the allegations against him, which involve the sexual assault of two women—a production designer and a director’s assistant—during the filming of “The Green Shutters” in 2021.

Depardieu has categorically denied any misconduct. In light of recent events, Grinberg has felt compelled to speak out about the urgent need for reform within the industry, joining other French entertainers in raising awareness about the darker aspects of their profession.

“For many years, I observed this … without any reaction, much like others,” she explained. “Being overwhelmed by the violence at the time, I didn’t comprehend it as violence.” She noted that with the emergence of the #MeToo movement and an increase in women sharing their experiences, a transformation is underway. “And I have come to understand the scale of this violence,” she added.

Grinberg also personally knows Charlotte Arnould, who accuses Depardieu of two rapes allegedly committed in August 2018, another separate case still under consideration. In 2020, Depardieu was charged with rape and sexual assault, but a decision on whether to proceed with a trial remains pending.

“What complicates matters in cases of sexual violence is that often, women remain motionless and don’t defend themselves. It’s not due to consent; they are simply frozen, deprived of vitality by fear and revulsion,” Grinberg expressed. “It’s vital that we educate both society and the legal system about this issue.”

Grinberg shared disturbing anecdotes about Depardieu’s inappropriate remarks during the filming of “The Green Shutters.” She lamented, “Society has largely been complicit in these actions, these excesses, these deviations.” She reflected on how many around her in the film industry often remained silent or laughed at such verbal violence.

Many within the cinema community fear repercussive consequences, believing they could lose job prospects if they speak out against influential figures in the industry.

Grinberg concluded that the current trial serves as evidence that the landscape is evolving, particularly since the victims were not high-profile individuals. Workers in the film sector, the “little hands,” are finally voicing their frustrations, demanding an end to such injustices. “Enough is truly enough,” she proclaimed.

Earlier this year, another actress, Judith Godrèche, urged the French film industry to confront the reality of sexual violence and physical abuse during the César Awards ceremony, drawing parallels to the Oscars. “We can choose to ensure that men accused of rape no longer hold the reins in the (French) cinema,” said Godrèche.

Additionally, last year, prominent actress Adèle Haenel announced her departure from the French film scene, criticizing its complacency towards sexual perpetrators. Haenel, renowned for her performance in the 2019 Cannes film “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” expressed through an open letter that prestigious events like Cannes were willing to go to great lengths to protect their “rapist chiefs.”