Carla Bruni, Charlotte Rampling & Carole Bouquet Sign French Entertainment World Open Letter Decrying “Lynching” Of Gérard Depardieu
26.12.2023 - 16:13
/ deadline.com
Some 50 French entertainment personalities have signed an open letter speaking out against the public “lynching” and cancelling of Gérard Depardieu in the wake of multiple accusations of sexual assault and one of rape.
The signatories include former first lady, top model and musician Carla Bruni as well as popular actors Charlotte Rampling, Carole Bouquet, Nathalie Baye and Pierre Richard.
In the open letter, published in the Le Figaro newspaper on Christmas Day, the signatories said they did not want to pass comment on the accusations against Depardieu but could not remain silent in the face of the backlash against the actor in recent weeks.
“We are artists, writers and cinema producers. It’s in this capacity that we’re expressing ourselves here,” read the letter.
“We don’t want to enter into debate, and we leave the judiciary to do its job. Gérard Depardieu is probably one the greatest actors. One of the last sacred icons of cinema. We cannot remain silent in the face of the backlash against him, the torrent of hatred which is poured on him without nuance, with the greatest conflation and scorn for the presumption of innocence, that he would have benefited from had he not been the giant of cinema that he is.
“When one goes after Gérard Depardieu in this way, it’s art that is under attack. Through his genius as an actor Gérard Depardieu has participated in the artistic influence of our country. He contributes to the history of art, in the highest way. He is part of this history and continues to enrich it. France owes him a lot for that. Cinema and theatre cannot pass over his unique personality.”
Depardieu commented on the open letter in a telephone interview with French radio network RTL on December 26.
He said he