Gérard Depardieu is considered one of the greats in French cinema. But women keep making serious accusations against him. That could have consequences.
French actor Gérard Depardieu has been summoned for questioning over renewed allegations of sexual assault. A spokeswoman for his lawyer’s office confirmed corresponding media reports to the German Press Agency. French media also reported, citing sources, that the 75-year-old was taken into police custody. There was initially no official confirmation of this.
The allegations relate to the years 2021 and 2014
According to reports, the summons in Paris concern two lawsuits that women recently filed against Depardieu. A decorator claimed that Depardieu sexually harassed her during the filming of the 2021 film “Les Volets verts”. Another woman had accused the actor of touching his intimate area and making obscene statements during the filming of the short film “Le Magicien et les Siamois” in 2014.
The Paris public prosecutor’s office simply said that nothing could be announced or confirmed at the moment. First, possible allegations would have to be assessed. Those involved in the process are also the first to be informed.
Police custody in France is limited in time. Suspects can then be brought before the public prosecutor’s office or an investigating judge. Preliminary investigations can then become preliminary investigations.
Old investigations and denial of the allegations
The new allegations against the award-winning actor are part of a series of accusations, some of which were made anonymously and which do not always end up on the desk of investigators. In 2018, actress Charlotte Arnould sued film star Depardieu (“Cyrano von Bergerac”, “Asterix and Obelix”). This case has been under investigation for rape since 2020.
Depardieu completely denies the allegations. In a letter published in the newspaper “Le Figaro” in the fall, he described himself as a victim of a “media lynching” and wrote: “I have never abused a woman.” Depardieu continued: “I am neither a rapist nor a predator. I am just a man…”. Several dozen artists – including the actress Charlotte Rampling and the musician and former French first lady Carla Bruni – also complained that the presumption of innocence was being ignored in the case of Depardieu, “probably the greatest of all actors”.
Opinions about the actor vary
Opinions about Depardieu and the serious allegations made against him vary in France. The actor, who has appeared in more than 200 films, shocked many people in December with comments he made in a television report about his trip to North Korea in 2018. In it he repeatedly makes misogynistic and questionable comments, for example calling women “big sluts”.
The then Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul-Malak, initiated an investigation into whether Depardieu should be stripped of his Legion of Honor. That ultimately didn’t happen. The actor received France’s highest award in 1996. Depardieu lost the National Order of Quebec and his title as an honorary citizen of the Belgian community of Estaimpuis. The Paris wax museum had his figure removed.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
