Muriel Robin, Alexandra Lamy… 150 artists sign a platform to denounce the “impunity” of Gérard Depardieu

2024-01-01 21:59:35

One hundred and fifty new artists stand up against the defenders of Gérard Depardieu. This Monday, Release published a column signed by artists revolted by the wave of support received by the French actor. On Christmas Day, Le Figaro broadcast a text from the pro-Depardieu camp, which called “not to erase” the 75-year-old actor. This time, Alexandra Lamy, Thomas Jolly, Muriel Robin and Anne Roumanoff have united their voices behind a message: “art is not a totem of impunity”.

“In the name of art, certain voices are raised to defend Gérard Depardieu, insinuating that his talent should shield him from any criticism, and even excuse him for his intolerable behavior. All this will not be in our name,” thunder these personalities from the cultural sector. If they do not refute “the contribution of these legends to French cinema”, they assure “that no status, no career however brilliant” could “benefit from a form of impunity”.

Backpedaling

Swann Arlaud, Shirine Boutella and Marilou Berry refuse that art “serves as a pretext for the abuse of power, harassment or sexual violence”. In December, Complément d’investigation broadcast exclusive images of Gérard Depardieu, where he makes multiple misogynistic comments. Indicted for rape since 2020, he is the subject of three complaints for sexual assault or rape, which he denies.

The signatories of this new forum therefore stand “on the side of the alleged victims”. “Their voices deserve to be heard, believed, and supported,” they emphasize. Before this text, another counter-tribune had targeted the pro-Depardieu camp. Carried by Angèle or Louane and published by the Cerveaux non-available collective, it had collected 8,000 signatures in 48 hours.

The column published in Le Figaro “and the defense of Macron are so much spit in the face of the victims of Gérard Depardieu but also of all the victims of sexist and sexual violence”, assured the artists. A breath of criticism amplified by the backpedaling of certain supporters of the actor, such as Carole Bouquet, Gérard Darmon, Pierre Richard or more recently Jacques Weber.