PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron took the side of film star Gérard Depardieu against what he called “a manhunt” as the French actor faces new scrutiny over obscene and sexist remarks.
During an interview with the France 5 TV channel, the French president praised Depardieu’s contribution to filmmaking. “I’m a great admirer of Gérard Depardieu, he is a great actor … He has helped introduce our great authors to the world, he makes France proud,” he said.
As reported by POLITICO, Macron has distanced himself from his government’s decision to potentially strip Depardieu of his Légion d’Honneur, in the wake of allegations of sexism and sexual assault. Depardieu has been charged with rape in 2020 — he has denied any wrongdoing — and a recently-released documentary, featuring the actor making obscene remarks and sexualizing a young girl, has caused fresh outrage.
On Wednesday, the French president confirmed he did not wish Depardieu, who has starred in over 200 films, to be stripped of his Légion d’Honneur, which is the highest order of merit in France.
“The Légion d’Honneur is an order … which is not there to moralize [people]. So it’s not on the basis of a documentary that we remove the Légion d’Honneur,” he said.
Depardieu has rejected all accusations against him, and his family has denounced an “unprecedented cabal” targeting him.
Macron’s response is in keeping with his past approach to accusations of sexual violence against high-profile figures. Following rape accusations against former minister and TV personality Nicolas Hulot, the French president said the priority should be “the efficiency of [the] justice system” and that the case should be treated without “complacency” and without “[launching] an inquisition.”