50 French stars deplore ‘lynching’ of Gerard Depardieu – DW – 12/26/2023

dozens of FranceTop movie stars and other well-known names have criticized what they called the "lynching" of movie star Gerard Depardieu amid accusations of rape and sexual assault.

In an open letter in The Figaro In the newspaper Tuesday, celebrities said the veteran actor is the victim of a "torrent of hate." Two dozen of the 56 signatories were women, including actress Charlotte Rampling, former French first lady Carla Bruni and Depardieu's ex-partner, actress Carole Bouquet.

The letter titled "Don't erase Gerard Depardieu" states that the accusations against him have spread "challenging a presumption of innocence from which he would have benefited, like everyone else, if he were not the giant of cinema that he is."

"We are artists, writers and film producers... We do not want to get involved in controversies and will let the justice system do its job," the letter says.

The signatories describe Depardieu as "arguably the greatest actor, the last iconic figure of cinema," arguing that when he is attacked in this way, "it is art that is being attacked."

"France owes him a lot. Cinema and theater cannot do without his unique and extraordinary personality," said the celebrities.

Depardieu, who will turn 75 on Wednesday, praised the letter and called the signatories "brave."

What is Gerard Depardieu accused of?

Depardieu faces increasing scrutiny over his behavior toward women during his five-decade career.

The actor has been under investigation for rape accusations since 2020.

Several women have accused the award-winning actor of sexual violence, including harassment, groping or sexual assault.

A lawsuit against him for sexual abuse, which allegedly took place in 2007, has been ongoing since mid-September of this year.

A recent documentary outlined allegations of sexual misconduct by 16 women and showed the actor making obscene comments and gestures during a trip to North Korea in 2018.

Disciplinary procedures have been initiated that could see the actor lose his Legion of Honor medal, France's highest distinction.

Depardieu, who has starred in more than 200 films, denies all accusations.

Letter signers accused of denial

Reacting to the letter, Paris legislator and feminist Raphaëlle Rémy-Leleu said the signatories are experiencing a "denial of reality."

He said he would have preferred they supported initiatives against sexual violence.

Emmanuelle Dancourt, whose #MeTooMedia group supports victims of sexual misconduct in the media industry, told BFM television that the message of the essay is particularly painful for victims of sexual abuse by powerful men.

But he also said he understood how Depardieu's friends felt they had to defend him.

"The people who do this are our friends, our parents, our husbands, our neighbors, our colleagues, people we know," she said.

Last week the French president Emmanuel Macron He claimed that Depardieu had become the target of "human persecution", while his family denounced an "unprecedented conspiracy" against him.

Depardieu is no stranger to scandals, having made headlines for fights, drunk driving and urinating in the aisle of an airplane.

He has also praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and has a russian passport.

mm/xx (AFP, AP, dpa)