After complaints of sexual violence, actor Gérard Depardieu could be stripped of France’s highest award. Culture Minister Abdul-Malak described the film star’s behavior as a “disgrace for France.”
French actor Gérard Depardieu is threatened with losing the Legion of Merit, France’s highest award. The reason is complaints of rape and sexual violence against the 74-year-old as well as misogynistic statements.
According to Culture Minister Rima Abdul-Malak, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Depardieu. She said this on the television channel “France 5”. A council of the order will meet to decide whether to suspend Depardieu’s membership or revoke it entirely, she said.
Minister of Culture “disgusted”
Induction into the Legion of Honor is the highest honor awarded in France. Depardieu was inducted into the Legion of Honor by then President Jacques Chirac in 1996. The Code of the Legion of Honor stipulates that “conduct contrary to honor” can be punished with a reprimand, suspension of membership or expulsion.
The culture minister described the actor’s behavior towards women as a “disgrace for France”. Referring to a recently broadcast documentary, she was “disgusted” by Depardieu’s disrespectful and sexist treatment of women. In the documentary, the actor can be seen making numerous vulgar comments while on a filming trip in North Korea. “I weigh 124 kilos, 126 with an erection,” he says, for example. He said about a ten-year-old girl on a horse: “When she gallops, she has an orgasm.” Women are big sluts, he continued.
Investigation process for rape
Last week, actress Hélène Darras reported Depardieu for sexual assault during filming in 2007. The actress Charlotte Arnould had already reported him for rape in 2018. An investigation is underway against Depardieu.
Another lawsuit against him for sexual abuse has been pending since mid-September. Depardieu denies all allegations. Arnould had had sex with him willingly, he explained. More than twelve other women have publicly accused Depardieu of sexual assault, but have not yet filed a complaint.
“Gérard Depardieu’s problematic behavior was well known in the French cinema world,” said the head of the producers’ union, Marc Missionnier, in the documentary. Depardieu has worked with France’s most famous directors and actresses and has made more than 200 films.