The first sexual assault trial against French actor Gérard Depardieu has begun in Paris, with Depardieu in attendance.

Two women accuse the French acting legend, famous for his roles in Cyrano de Bergerac (1990), Green Card (1990) and The Last Metro (1981), of assault alleged to have taken place in 2021 on the set of French feature The Green Shutters.

The two female crew members — a set decorator and an assistant director — allege Depardieu sexually assaulted them during the filming of Jean Becker’s period drama. Depardieu denies the charges. The film, based on Georges Simenon’s 1950 novel, stars Depardieu as a celebrated but tyrannical actor grappling with personal and professional decline.

Monday’s proceedings mark the first time Depardieu will be tried on official sexual assault charges. Over the past several years, Depardieu has faced a growing number of allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior, which he has vehemently denied.

Depardieu was initially scheduled to appear in court on the charges last October but had the trial postponed for medical reasons, including the after-effects of quadruple coronary bypass surgery and diabetes. He was ultimately deemed fit to appear by a court-appointed medical expert. The judge has set conditions for his participation, including limiting hearings to six hours, mandating breaks every three hours and ensuring private access to restrooms and snacks to monitor his blood sugar levels.

This trial is not the only legal battle looming over the 76-year-old actor. Depardieu is also facing an official complaint from actress Charlotte Arnould, who accused him of raping her in 2018. That case has been working itself through the French court system for the past seven years. A separate assault case, filed by French actress Hélène Darras, was dismissed early last year, with French prosecutors citing the statute of limitations. Darras claimed Depardieu assaulted her on the set of Fabien Onteniente’s film Disco in 2007.

The French media, which had long remained relatively silent on the allegations, is now giving the trial wall-to-wall coverage. Libération published a two-page feature on Monday, questioning the implications of the trial: “Who will be tried on March 24 and 25 … A man like any other? A symbol? Or a ‘monster’ so sacred for so long that it went without saying he was above the law?” Outside the courthouse, feminist groups gathered to protest, chanting slogans such as “We believe the victims” and “You touch one? We all respond!”

If convicted, Depardieu faces up to five years in prison and a €75,000 ($81,000) fine.