Gérard Depardieu reigned over French cinema for half a century, a national icon as familiar as the baguette.

When French actor Gérard Depardieu walks into a Paris courtroom on Monday, he won’t just be facing two women who accuse him of sexual assault — he’ll also be confronting a nation long criticized for dragging its feet in confronting sexual violence, particularly when committed by the powerful.

A Paris court has found a filmmaker guilty of sexual assault on French actor Adèle Haenel when she was between 12 and 15 in the early 2000s, in the country’s first big #MeToo trial.

PARIS – A French filmmaker has been charged over the alleged sexual assault of an actress when she was 15. Director Christophe Ruggia received the preliminary charge Thursday of assault of a minor by a person in authority, the Paris prosecutor's office said. Ruggia had been detained Tuesday for questioning about allegations last year made by actress Adele Haenel concerning events in the early 2000s. Ruggia, who denies the claims, was placed under judicial control, meaning he was freed but must regularly report to officials. She told French media that she didn't file a legal complaint because she didn't trust the French legal system.

PARIS – A French filmmaker is in custody while authorities investigate accusations that he sexually abused an actress when she was between 12 and 15 years old. Director Christophe Ruggia was detained for questioning Tuesday based on allegations last year by actress Adele Haenel, according to the Paris prosecutor's office. He's facing potential charges of sexual harassment and sexual assault of a minor by a person of authority, according to the prosecutor's office. Haenel says the director repeatedly touched her inappropriately during and after filming of the the movie “Les Diables" in the early 2000s. She told French media that she didn't file a legal complaint because she didn't trust the French legal system.