**Gérard Depardieu Asserts Innocence in Sexual Assault Trial Amidst Tensions**

**In a high-profile trial, Gérard Depardieu defended himself against accusations of sexual assault, reflecting on changes in societal norms that he claims make him feel out of place.**

On the third day of his sexual assault trial in Paris, Gérard Depardieu acknowledged the transformation of the social landscape since his rise to fame, admitting his past use of "rude" and "vulgar" language that is now deemed inappropriate. The 76-year-old actor has been accused of inappropriately touching two women on a film set in 2021. Armed with reminiscing candor, he noted the discomfort of female assistants in prior years, stating he refrained from their presence in his dressing room to avoid shocking them.

"I am not very much at ease with this new society... I think my time is done," Depardieu expressed to the court while firmly denying any sexual assault claims. He insisted, "I don't see how it could be fun feeling up a woman... I am not a metro-train groper," revealing his disconnection from the current cultural climate.

Accused of assaulting two women during filming of "Les Volets Verts" (The Green Shutters), Depardieu faces severe consequences, including up to five years in prison and fines amounting to €75,000, if convicted. In a courtroom filled with anticipation since the trial's commencement, explosive exchanges erupted between Depardieu's lawyer, Jérémie Assous, and the plaintiffs’ legal team. Assous's aggressive approach aimed to discredit the two plaintiffs, one of whom recounted an incident where Depardieu allegedly held her and uttered obscenities after a dispute.

As the proceedings unfolded, Depardieu found himself on the receiving end of pointed questions from the plaintiffs' lawyer, Carine Durrieu-Diebolt. In a moment of intense questioning, he appeared to downplay the significance of a hand on a body part, claiming, "I never carried out an act of sexual assault.”

The court also heard from a second plaintiff, an assistant director, who shared her distressing encounters with the legendary actor, alleging he had touched her inappropriately multiple times. After feeling pressured by the media's exposure of similar allegations against Depardieu, she eventually decided to file a complaint, revealing the ongoing anxiety and sleepless nights she suffered as a result.

Throughout the trial, the public's gaze has squarely fallen on the once-lauded actor, known for iconic roles in films like "Cyrano de Bergerac." Appearing noticeably burdened, Depardieu requested assistance with mobility issues, stating, "My joints all hurt. Basically my body is bust," while seated on a specially adapted platform in the courtroom with support from his bodyguard, Massika, who has become an integral part of his presence during the trial.

As the legal drama beckons further developments, observance of the courtroom dynamics between Depardieu’s legal counsel and the plaintiffs’ team highlights the deepening rift within the evolving narrative of consent and accountability in modern society. The trial is poised to continue through at least Thursday, with ongoing repercussions and narrative twists awaited in this captivating saga.