video transcript

French film star Gerard Depardieu, seen here walking the red carpet in Switzerland on Monday, failed to show up for a court hearing in Paris a day later. The actor faces charges over a drunk driving incident that occurred while he was riding his scooter in Paris in November. His lawyer said Tuesday the judge denied a request to reschedule the hearing, saying Depardieu should not get special treatment. The actor made headlines last week when Russian President Vladmir Putin granted him citizenship there after a tax row in his home country. Depardieu objects to President Francois Hollande's plan to impose a hefty tax on euro millionaires. He put his 20-room Paris mansion up for sale in December, saying he was handing in his passport and social security card and recently bought a house in Belgium.