Accused of sexual assault Gerard Depardieu is the greatest of actors and “the last sacred monster of cinema”, he should be allowed to play, said in a joint letter of 50 French cultural figures. The text of the appeal is quoted by Le Figaro.
“We can no longer remain silent in front of the lynching that has befallen him, in front of the flood of hatred pouring down on his person, without nuance, in the mix and against the presumption of innocence that he would have received, like everyone else, if he had not been the giant of cinema that he is,” the letter said.
The authors emphasised a reluctance to enter into polemics and a determination to “let justice do its work”. However, they emphasised that France owes much to Depardieu, who has made a great contribution to the arts and artistic influence of the Republic: “We want to remember all the good that this man has done for us throughout his life. And to us, the artists, and to many viewers.”
The letter was signed by actor Pierre Richard, model and former first lady Carla Bruni, actor Benoit Pulvoord, director Bertrand Blier, actress Emmanuelle Seigner, writer Boilem Sansal and others.
The cause of the scandal around Depardieu was a documentary film, which was released at the end of November. In it, four women accused the actor of sexual assault, with two claiming rape. One of the girls said that Depardieu put his hand on her buttock during the filming of the film “Department 13” in 2009. Another girl said she was sexually assaulted by the actor when he ran his hand over her thighs and buttocks on the set of the film “Disco” (2008). Allegations against Depardieu in sexual harassment were made in the spring, then it was reported by 13 women.
Depardieu in October denied the allegations of violence. He called the media reaction to the accusations a “lynching” and assured that he “never really abused women.” “I am neither a rapist nor a predator,” Depardieu wrote.
However, films featuring Depardieu were subsequently withdrawn from screening by French state broadcaster France Télévisions. The actor then refused the republic’s highest honour, the Order of the Sacred Legion.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for the presumption of innocence to be respected and said the order was not given to “read morals”.
“You cannot take away the Legion of Honour from an artiste on the basis of a mere TV report,” he said.
His predecessor, former president of the republic Francois Hollande, disagreed.
“No, we are not proud of Gerard Depardieu,” the politician said.
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