56 French stars defend actor Gerard Depardieu despite sexual misconduct allegations
The Hindu
Depardieu was handed preliminary rape and sexual assault charges in 2020 following allegations from actor Charlotte Arnould, and has been accused by more than a dozen other women of harassing, groping or sexually assaulting them
More than 50 French performers, writers and producers published an essay defending film star and national icon Gerard Depardieu amid growing scrutiny of his behaviour toward women during his five-decade career.
Advocates for sexual abuse victims expressed dismay at the outpouring of support.
Depardieu was handed preliminary rape and sexual assault charges in 2020 following allegations from actor Charlotte Arnould, and has been accused by more than a dozen other women of harassing, groping or sexually assaulting them. Depardieu denies wrongdoing, and called the essay "beautiful".
Published on Tuesday in the conservative-leaning Le Figaro, the essay was signed by figures including former first lady and singer Carla Bruni, Depardieu's former partner Carole Bousquet, and actors Pierre Richard, Charlotte Rampling and Victoria Abril.
Two dozen of the 56 signatories were women. Many are from Depardieu's generation; he is 74.
A recent documentary outlined accusations of sexual misconduct by 16 women against Depardieu, and showed the actor making obscene remarks and gestures during a 2018 trip to North Korea.
The France-2 documentary prompted calls by some to stop airing Depardieu's films, which include classics of modern French cinema.
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