Gérard Depardieu, the once-untouchable celebrated French actor, today is couched with serious allegations of sexual assault. This decision is a major victory for France’s #MeToo movement. Depardieu himself was born into a family of impoverished postwar France. He had left formal schooling by the age of 13 and resorted to robbery and petty theft in his teenage years. Even with these early setbacks, he emerged as a national hero. He headlined hits such as Cyrano de Bergerac and helped distill the spirit of one of France’s greatest expeditions of rags to riches. After more than a dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct, his remarkable career is now dogged by scandal.
Depardieu’s trial on these charges will be scheduled May 13. Among the many accusations is a particularly egregious episode. He reportedly held a set decorator hostage between his legs and masturbated on her during the shoot of “Les Volets Verts” in 2021. In a separate accusation, he’s been accused of groping an assistant director, grabbing her breasts and buttocks. This incident supposedly occurred three different times on the same production. The actor has vehemently denied all charges, stating he has been “dragged through the mud by calumny and lies.”
It is Depardieu’s life story that is most comic and tragic in its transformation, controversy, and fairy tale consequences. He had escaped a rocky childhood and became a successful movie star—one of the highest grossing actors of all time. In 2013, Putin obliged him by giving him Russian citizenship. ANR Youtube Depardieu has lived in Russia since receiving his citizenship, though he’s been openly critical of Putin’s regime, especially following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Since the allegations came out, Depardieu has been put under extremely tight scrutiny. In a court statement, he expressed his bewilderment over the situation: “Today, being charged with sexual assault has an atomic effect; it neutralises you, kills you socially,” as noted by Jérémie Assous, highlighting the profound social impact of such allegations.
The charges against Depardieu have sparked a broader conversation about power dynamics and accountability within the entertainment industry in France. His comments have sometimes been incendiary.
“Well, if I can no longer touch breasts …” – Gérard Depardieu
These comments have been widely condemned and speak to the deep-seated tension in the attempt to clean up boorish behavior in the industry.
Outside his film work, Depardieu’s brash propensity to speak his mind has left him a perennial fixture on the front pages. He has not shied away from telling the truth about his inner workings, often to explosive effect.
“You know who I am. Let it happen. I’m an actor, I’ve got the right.” – Gérard Depardieu
This statement highlights the entitlement discussed above – an entitlement many believe is at the very heart of the allegations against him.
Like many countries, France is in the grip of its own #MeToo moment. As the case of Depardieu shows, such unprosecuted acts can kill important discussions around consent and accountability. The actor’s contributions to cinema remain undisputed, yet the allegations laid against him have forced a reckoning of his legacy.
Despite the allegations, Depardieu remains a prominent figure in both French and Russian cultural landscapes. His dual nationality has added complexity to his public persona and has shaped his response to international events, such as his criticism of Putin’s military actions in Ukraine.