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The first plaintiff – a set decorator – told the court on Tuesday that after a minor argument with Depardieu he caught her between his legs, held her by the hips and told her obscenities.

This is the first case against Depardieu to come to trial, although in total about 20 women have accused him of improper behaviour.

A group of more than 50 actors, directors and producers said accusations against Depardieu were "an attack on art itself" in a letter published last year.

He scored best actor Oscar and Screen Actors Guild nominations for his heartfelt performance as the struggling, dreaming immigrant father in “Minari,” a turn reminiscent of Gérard Depardieu’s in “Jean de Florette.”

Lawyers for Mr. Depardieu did not immediately respond to a request for comment.