Feminist groups decry French president's support for actor Depardieu, under fire for sexual assault claims

By Nur Asena Erturk

Feminist groups in France on Wednesday denounced President Emmanuel Macron's support for famed actor Gerard Depardieu amid accusations of sexual assault.

A group of feminist groups published a column on Wednesday criticizing Macron for praising Depardieu in a TV interview as an actor who "makes France proud.”

Citing Macron’s stated goal to fight violence against women, the open letter in Le Monde daily said Macron's recent words validated "rape culture at the highest level of the state."

Depardieu, 74, has been investigated for sexual assault since 2020, broadcaster BFMTV said on Tuesday.

Depardieu is also getting support from other French performers and entertainers, who denounced what they called attempts to “lynch” him.

Earlier this week, 56 performers and other cultural figures, including director Bertrand Blier, actors Nathalie Baye, Carole Bouquet, and Pierre Richard, singer Carla Bruni, and opera tenor Roberto Alagna, published a column in Le Figaro daily calling for an end to efforts to "lynch" Depardieu.

Praising Depardieu as "the last giant of cinema," they also claimed that "art is being targeted."

Depardieu, they said, contributes to the country’s "artistic influence.”

However, some members of Macron’s government criticized Depardieu.

Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak slammed his alleged misogynist remarks during a trip to North Korea, though Macron denounced what he called a "manhunt" pursuing Depardieu, citing allegations that videos of the remarks had been misleadingly edited.

Depardieu, perhaps best known for his roles in the movie Cyrano de Bergerac and the Asterix series, has denied all the accusations of rape and sexual assault.

Over a dozen women have accused Depardieu of sexual assault during the shooting of 11 movies over the last 18 years, according to independent French media outlet Mediapart.