Statement from the lawyers - On the brink of expulsion: Gérard Depardieu resigns his membership of the French Legion of Honor
The actor Gérard Depardieu has decided at short notice to resign his membership of the French Legion of Honor. At the same time, his lawyers criticized the statements made by Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak, whom they accused of "a further blow to the already dying presumption of innocence".
On Friday, the Minister of Culture had announced disciplinary proceedings by the Order of the Legion of Honor against the actor and described his behaviour towards women as a "disgrace to France". Depardieu has been under investigation for allegations of rape since the end of 2020. Actress Charlotte Arnould accuses the actor of raping her twice in his Paris apartment in 2018 when she was 22 years old.
Last week, actress Hélène Darras also accused her colleague of sexual assault during filming in 2007. Depardieu denies all accusations. Numerous other women have accused Depardieu of sexual assault in the past, but have not yet pressed charges.
Induction into the Legion of Honor is the highest distinction awarded in France. Depardieu was inducted in 1996 by the then President Jacques Chirac. The Code of the Legion of Honor stipulates that "conduct contrary to honour" can be punished with a reprimand, suspension of membership or expulsion.
Gérard Depardieu made sexist remarks about a little girl
Minister Abdul Malak was "disgusted" by Depardieu's disrespectful and sexist treatment of women, referring to a recently broadcast documentary. In the documentary, the actor can be seen making numerous vulgar comments to his young female translator during a filming trip to North Korea. "I weigh 124 kilos, with an erection 126", he says, for example. About a ten-year-old girl on a horse, he says: "When she gallops, she has an orgasm."
Depardieu's lawyers called the program "controversial and contestable". It had "broadcast images that were recorded in the sphere of intimacy and privacy".
Depardieu is one of the most famous French actors. He has worked with the most famous directors and actresses in France and has appeared in more than 200 films. He has played the eloquent Cyrano de Bergerac as well as a washed-up pop singer, a slaughterhouse worker, an Alzheimer's patient and Obelix.
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- Despite the controversial remarks made by Gérard Depardieu towards women, the actor maintained his position as a highly respected figure in the French film industry, having worked with numerous renowned directors and actresses.
- In response to the recent allegations of sexual assault against Depardieu, the Minister of Education, Rima Abdul Malak, expressed her disappointment and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
- The resignation of Gérard Depardieu from the French Legion of Honor came as a surprise to many, given his significant contributions to French cinema and his previous induction into the prestigious order in 1996.
- Actress Hélène Darras joined Charlotte Arnould in accusing Depardieu of sexual assault, adding to the growing list of women who have come forward with similar allegations against the actor.
- Although Depardieu has been under investigation for rape since the end of 2020, it remains to be seen if any charges will be brought against him, as many of his accusers have yet to press charges.
- The legality of broadcasting Depardieu's vulgar comments from the recently released documentary has been called into question by his lawyers, who argue that the program invaded his privacy and broadcast images recorded in a private setting.
Source: www.stern.de
