Gerard Depardieu, the Oscar-nominated actor who has been charged with rape and accused by multiple women of sexual assault, harassment, or groping, is receiving support from fifty-six French stars. In an open letter published in the conservative-leaning French newspaper Le Figaro, prominent figures such as Carla Bruni, Charlotte Rampling, and Carole Bouquet signed the letter to defend Depardieu against what they perceive as a “lynching” and a “torrent of hate” (via AP). They argue that attacking Depardieu also means attacking the art of cinema itself, and losing such an immense actor would be a tragedy for the industry.
The list of signatories includes other actors like Pierre Richard, Victoria Abril, and Nathalie Baye, as well as directors Bertrand Blier and Francis Veber. Although Depardieu has not been convicted in connection with any of the allegations and maintains his innocence, his reputation has undoubtedly been tarnished. Nevertheless, he called the open letter “beautiful” and its signatories “courageous” (France 24 reports).
Depardieu, known for his roles in films like “Cyrano de Bergerac” and “The Man in the Iron Mask,” was indicted in 2020 for rape charges stemming from a lawsuit filed by actor Charlotte Arnould in 2018. Despite the indictment, Depardieu continued to work in the industry and even appeared in the film “Robuste,” which opened Cannes’ Critics Week in 2023. However, his reputation suffered a blow when over a dozen additional alleged victims spoke out in an investigative piece by Mediapart in April 2023. One such victim, Hélène Darras, filed a police complaint accusing Depardieu of sexually assaulting her in 2007 during the filming of “Disco.”
In December, France Televisions aired a documentary that shed light on Depardieu’s history of sexual abuse allegations. While the broadcaster’s head of film and international co-production stated that they would not ban his films, they also wouldn’t celebrate artists who have been accused until they have been completely cleared. French President Emmanuel Macron also found himself in controversy when he publicly expressed his admiration for Depardieu, praising the actor’s contributions to French culture and literature.
Regarding the documentary, which included footage of Depardieu making crude and misogynistic jokes, Macron suggested that the segment may have been edited in a misleading way. However, France Televisions later confirmed that the segment was authenticated by a bailiff who viewed the raw footage (AP). Despite the ongoing legal proceedings and the division of public opinion, Depardieu continues to receive support from within the French entertainment industry.