Carole Bouquet, Yvan Attal but also Nadine Trintignant, Jacques Weber and Peter Richard. Since December 25 and the publication from a stand in Le Figaro in support of Gérard Depardieu, accused of rape and indicted since 2020, several signatories are backtracking.
” Apart Jacques Weber who made a repentance which seems sincere and arguedthe others never criticize the substance but criticize the turns of phrase or the author of the text [Yanis Ezziadi, éditorialiste dans le magazine Causeur et proche de Sarah Knafo, la conseillère et compagne d’Éric Zemmour] », breathes Mahaut Drama, comedian and columnist on France Inter.
“These personalities do not represent art”
It is these positions around the Depardieu affair that pushed her, with Iban Raïs and Jessé, as well as Giulia Foïs, to write a counter-opinion in response to that of the Figaro. Published on January 1, 2024 in Release, more than 150 personalities from the world of culture, including actresses Muriel Robin, Alexandra Lamy and director Thomas Jolly, have signed it.
“Everything we have heard since the broadcast of the “Complément d’investigation” documentary gave the impression of a step backwards on the subject of sexist and sexual violence,” she explains. Some speeches would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. » She mentions in particular the “symbolic and psychological shock” that she felt after the President of the Republic’s comments on this subject in “C à vous”.
“For me, he stepped out of his role,” she believes. And then, it gave the impression that pro-Depardieu people were taking up all the space. It was therefore necessary to say that they did not represent art, the art world, nor artists or society in general. We are not in a time where we can do without speaking and resisting. It is important that we take back the word and the public space, to show that we exist. »
“Cinema is not just about Gérard Depardieu and his small circle of supporters”
A feeling shared by Antoine Galvani of the CGT spectacle. “Cinema is not just about Gérard Depardieu and his small circle of supporters,” he assures. And the bias of the untouchable sacred monster is not that of the entertainment world. » He also finds it “very surprising” that no one realized, when signing, “all the problems” in this column published on Christmas Day. “And so from now on, the line of defense of these signatories who are backtracking is to say: we are for rape but against the extreme right? ! Wake up, we must protect women and not rapists. »
Antoine Galvani is now calling for “move on to something else”. “Let us focus instead on the complainants and those who do not dare to file a complaint,” he emphasizes. Sofia, member of the collective We All Rhône, will not say the opposite. “These are victims we need to talk about, not Depardieu,” she insists. She recalls that feminist associations took “the subject head on” from the first complaints of sexual assault and rape against Gérard Depardieu. Last year, during the actor’s “Depardieu chante Barbara” tour, activists took several actions throughout France. They notably interrupted his show by chanting “The black eagle, it’s you!” Shame ! » with pig masks.
More than 8,000 signatories “against 56 others”
“And the shame continues,” says the volunteer. The signatories who retract are pathetic. You might as well do nothing if it means continuing to approve of the actor’s behavior and advocating rape culture. » Sofia adds: “For this part of the population which has flouted the words of women, we must continue to occupy public and media space. To all the victims, we want to tell them that we believe them and that they are not alone. » She highlights the “8,000 signatories” ofa first counter-tribune which are added to the 150 of that published Monday, compared to “the 56 others”. “There is a little hope,” she slips.
Mahaut Drama also hopes that his text can “give strength to everyone” to express themselves, likeEva Darlan. “I did my part,” concludes the comedian. I don’t work in cinema, so my work ends there. I would dare to hope now that this influences a movement of courage and that women dare to speak. »