More than 50 French performers, writers, and producers have published an essay in defense of Gérard Depardieu, the renowned film star and national icon, amid ongoing allegations of sexual misconduct spanning his five-decade career. The essay, published in the conservative-leaning Le Figaro, features prominent signatories such as former first lady and singer Carla Bruni, Depardieu’s ex-partner Carole Bousquet, and acclaimed actors Pierre Richard, Charlotte Rampling, and Victoria Abril. Of the 56 signatories, 24 are women, with many belonging to Depardieu’s generation, as the actor is currently 74 years old.
Depardieu faced preliminary rape and sexual assault charges in 2020 based on accusations by actor Charlotte Arnould, and more than a dozen other women have since come forward, alleging harassment, groping, or sexual assault. The actor has consistently denied any wrongdoing, expressing appreciation for the supportive essay and describing it as “beautiful.”
However, advocates for sexual abuse victims have expressed dismay at the outpouring of support for Depardieu. A recent documentary detailed allegations of sexual misconduct by 16 women against him and included footage of the actor making obscene remarks and gestures during a 2018 trip to North Korea. Some critics called for a halt to airing Depardieu’s films, considering his status as a classic figure in modern French cinema.
In response to the mounting criticism, the essay argues against remaining silent in the face of what it perceives as a “lynching” targeting Depardieu. It contends that when Depardieu is attacked in this manner, it is the art of cinema itself that is under threat, emphasizing the actor’s significant contributions to French cinema. The essay suggests that depriving France of Depardieu’s immense talent would be a dramatic loss, even characterizing it as the death of art.
However, the essay’s stance has sparked criticism, with some asserting that the signatories are in denial about the reality of the allegations against Depardieu. Paris lawmaker and feminist Raphaëlle Rémy-Leleu expressed disappointment, stating that she would have preferred the signatories to support initiatives against sexual violence instead of dismissing the accusations. Emmanuelle Dancourt, representing the #MeTooMedia group supporting sexual misconduct victims in the media industry, conveyed that the essay’s message is particularly painful for victims of sexual abuse by powerful individuals.
French President Emmanuel Macron also faced criticism for expressing pride in Depardieu. Macron’s statement last week that Depardieu “makes France proud” drew ire, especially considering the content of the recent documentary. The documentary featured a segment in which Depardieu made crude sexual comments about a young girl riding a horse. Macron suggested that the segment might have been edited misleadingly, but France Televisions, the broadcaster, later confirmed the authenticity of the segment based on a review by a bailiff who examined the raw footage.