If Gérard Depardieu thought the tide was turning in his favor… He was seriously mistaken ! On December 7, France 2 broadcast an episode of Further investigation on the French actor, notably showing him in the process of sexualize a child barely 11 years old. Added to this are the multiple accusations of sexual assault and rape he has been facing since 2020. At the beginning of December, a media tidal wave fell on the actorwho tried to defend himself by publishing an article claiming not to have “never abused a woman”as reported by Huffpost. Then, on December 20, Emmanuel Macron came to the rescue live, declaring that Gérard Depardieu was a great actor and that he “makes France proud”… A road trip which earned him some criticism.
Finally, on December 25, nearly fifty personalities from the world of culture jointly signed a forum, published in Le FigaroFor defend Obelix’s interpreter. Echoing the words of the Head of State, they expressed their indignation at the “lynching” media of which the actor was the target. This mobilization was considered excessive by many other personalities, who in turn took up their pen to write a “counter-tribune” this Friday, December 29. The stated objective was to “break the law of silence“, as our colleagues from HuffPost pointed out.
More than 600 signatories
Musicians, actors, comedians, screenwriters, directors, illustrators, they are now more than 600 to have signed their signature on this platform, published on the website Cerveauxnonavailables.net. Among these signatories are artists such as Louane, Angèle, Clara Morgane, Pomme, Imany, Médine, Waxx, Clotilde Hesme, Rokhaya Diallo, Lauren Bastide, Corinne Masiero and Vitalic, to name a few. This list of signatories is intended to expand, the stand remaining open. In this forum, the artists directly attack Gérard Depardieubut also to those who defended himlike Emmanuel Macron: “After the President of the Republic, who came to Depardieu’s aid, it is therefore the turn of the ‘world of culture’, finally a small part (of an old world which is collapsing), to express itself : 55 personalities who claim to let justice do its work and oppose the ‘lynching’ of the sacred monster of French cinema”we can read in the introduction.
“It’s a role reversal where the executioner places himself as a victim.with the help of his friends […] Let’s break the law of silence. Let justice do its job. But we must also do ours. That of support the victims and not to leave aggressors, rapists, oppressors alone”, continues the forum. Before concluding : “We are here to remind you that art doesn’t have to be made by idols outside of realityart is not on the side of star whims. […] So yes, we will find us, regroup, and support us. And if that bothers Depardieu, Macron and 56 cultural ‘celebrities’, so much the better.” Hostilities between the old and new world are therefore open.
Article written in collaboration with 6Médias.
Photo credits: Backgrid UK/ Bestimage