Dozens of celebrities criticize the “lynching” of Depardieu, accused of sexual assault

Nearly 60 French actors and other prominent figures have condemned the “lynching” of disgraced film legend Gerard Depardieu, who is accused of rape and faces other allegations of sexual assault, Agence France-Presse reports.

The open letter, signed by British actress Charlotte Rampling, former First Lady of France and singer Carla Bruni, and Depardieu’s former partner, actress Carole Bouquet, claims the star has been the victim of a “torrent of hatred.”

“Gerard Depardieu is probably the greatest of all actors,” added a letter published in the French newspaper Le Figaro on Christmas Day.

Depardieu, who has appeared in more than 200 films and television series, was accused of rape in 2020 and has been accused of sexual harassment and assault by more than a dozen women.

Despite the lack of a court ruling against him, in recent days many have rushed to distance themselves from the actor, notes Agence France-Presse.

In an open letter, supporters of Gérère Depardieu wrote: “We can no longer remain silent in the face of the lynching he is being subjected to.”

The letter said Depardieu was attacked “despite the presumption of innocence, from which he would benefit like everyone else if he were not the film giant that he is.”

Depardieu, who turned 75 on Wednesday, called the signatories “courageous” and praised the letter.

“I thought it was beautiful,” he told broadcaster RTL by phone.

Depardieu admitted he was shown the letter before it was published, but insists he did not ask anyone to do so. The actor also said that a number of figures refused to sign it.

The actor faced fresh criticism over sexually suggestive comments, including one about a young girl riding a horse during a trip to North Korea in 2018, which were first aired in a documentary on national television this month.

“When people attack Gerard Depardieu in this way, they are attacking art,” the letter said.

“France owes him so much. Cinema and theater cannot do without his unique and extraordinary personality, say the celebrities who stood up for Depardieu. “No one can erase the indelible imprint of his work in our time.”

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said Depardieu was the target of a “hunt,” while his family condemned an “unprecedented conspiracy” against the actor.

Human rights activists condemned Macron’s comments as an “insult” to all women who have been sexually assaulted. Politicians have also called Macron to account, including former French President Francois Hollande.

The letter published on Monday, entitled “Don’t erase Gerard Depardieu,” caused a new wave of indignation.

Laurent Boyer, founder of Les Papillons, a group that fights violence against children, called the letter “indecent” and added that the organization was removing one of the signatories, actor Pierre Richard, as its ambassador.

“We are and always will be on the side of the victims,” Boyette said.

Anne-Cecile Mailfert, head of the Women’s Fund, told AFP that “no one is above the law”, while activist Emmanuelle Dancourt of the group MeTooMedias said she was “saddened” and “appalled” by the letter.

But she also said she understood why Depardieu’s friends felt they had to protect him.

“The people who do this are our friends, our fathers, our husbands, our neighbors, our co-workers, people we know,” she said.

Rome’s Culture Minister Abdoul Malak said Gerard Depardieu could be stripped of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest award.