Actor Gerard Depardieu, left, arrives at his trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, with his lawyer Jeremie Assous ,Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)2025-03-25T09:37:52Z PARIS (AP) Actor Grard Depardieu acknowledged Tuesday that he used crude and heated language around a woman who accuses him of sexual assault and grabbed her hips but denied assaulting her, as he testified for the first time at his landmark trial in Paris.I understand perfectly if shes a bit upset, he said of the set dresser he worked with on a movie in 2021. He acknowledged that he sometimes has a potty mouth, telling the court: I am capable of trash talk. And he admitted that he was wrong to use heated language with the woman when they had an on-set argument about a painting.I dont have to talk like that, get angry like that, voil, he said in his gruff, deep voice so familiar to global cinemagoers.The 76-year-old former Oscar nominee has denied sexual assault allegations filed by the 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant. The women allege that he groped them during filming in 2021 of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters). The actor faces up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($81,000) if convicted. Depardieu acknowledged that he did grab the hips of the set dresser during their argument on set about whether a painting was good or bad art. But he said his gesture hadnt been ill-intentioned and argued that she hadnt appeared offended, saying: She didnt answer as if I was assaulting her. He acknowledged that sometimes his behavior is regarded as boorish. Ive always been told I have a Russian nature, I dont know if its because of the drinking or the vulgarity, he said.But he said hes not a predator. Im not touching the butts of women, he said.Because of Depardieus fame and impact on the French movie industry, his trial is seen as an important test of French willingness to confront sexual violence and hold influential men accountable. SYLVIE CORBET Corbet is an Associated Press reporter based in Paris. She covers French politics, diplomacy and defense as well as gender issues and breaking news. twitter