Gerard Depardieu's sexual assault trial opens in Paris

Gerard Depardieu's trial on charges of sexual assault has began in Paris with the star absent, after his lawyer asked for a delay to proceedings citing the actor's health issues.

Depardieu is accused of attacking two women while shooting the 2021 film Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters), in the highest profile #MeToo case to hit the country.

Prosecutors say he made explicit sexual remarks to, and then aggressively "groped", two members of the movie's production team. If convicted he could face five years in jail.

The 75-year-old denies the charges and said in an open letter published last year that he has never "abused a woman".

Proceedings opened at a criminal court in the French capital at around 13:30 local time. Depardieu's lawyer, Jeremie Assous, told French media that the actor had been "deeply affected" by illness and was advised by his doctors not to attend the trial.

Assous added that his client had asked for the delay as he "wishes to come, wants to express himself" before the court, but proceedings continued in his absence.

The trial marks a major moment for France's #MeToo movement, with Depardieu being the highest profile figure in French cinema to face accusations of sexual assault. The women - who have not been named - say Depardieu made sexual comments to them. They say he also "violently grabbed" and "groped" them.

Depardieu's lawyer has accused the women of "false accusations". He also claimed that one of the women was attempting to "make money" by claiming €30,000 ($32,500; £25,000) in compensation, Le Monde reported.

Since the allegations surfaced, Depardieu has become a virtual pariah. He has not appeared in a film since 2022, and he faces a second trial next year on charges of raping the actress Charlotte Arnould twice at his home in Paris. He denies the allegations.

Depardieu has also been accused of sexual assault by more than a dozen other women.

Despite the mounting allegations, the star has received strong messages of support from some members of France's artistic community. 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.

Signed by actors Charlotte Rampling, Carole Bouquet, Pierre Richard, and the singers Carla Bruni and Jacques Dutronc, the letter said they could not "remain silent in the face of the lynching that has fallen upon [Depardieu]".

French President Emmanuel Macron also attracted anger, after describing the actor as "the pride of France" last year. Macron added that Depardieu was being subjected to a "manhunt". Campaigners said the comments undermined efforts to protect women from violence.

Actress Léa Seydoux called Macron's comments "crazy", adding that it "gives a very bad image for France".

Despite Macron's show of support, his then-culture minister Rima Abdul-Malak said she would look into withdrawing Depardieu's Legion d'Honneur after footage emerged of him making sexual comments around women in a 2018 documentary filmed in North Korea.