Gérard Depardieu's Legion of Honor in Jeopardy
At 74, comedic actor and icon Gérard Depardieu finds himself in hot water over potentially losing France's highest distinction, the Legion of Honor, due to his controversial comments. Culture Minister Rima Abdul-Malak stated that disciplinary proceedings have begun against Depardieu and a council will meet to decide if he should be stripped of the award. Depardieu received the honor in 1996.
Abdul-Malak described the actor's jokes in a television documentary about his 2018 trip to North Korea as "disgusting." In the documentary, Depardieu makes misogynistic and inappropriate remarks, such as claiming women enjoy driving because their clitoris rubs against the saddle.
Since Saturday, news outlets have reported that Depardieu has offered to return his Legion of Honor medal to the Minister of Culture. Depardieu's lawyers questioned if the minister was aiming to harm the "dying" presumption of innocence with her action.
An investigation into rape allegations against Depardieu has been in progress since 2020. Additionally, a lawsuit regarding sexual abuse involving Depardieu emerged in mid-September 2023, with a 2007 incident at its core. Multiple women have accused the award-winning actor – known for his over 200 film appearances – of sexual misconduct. Depardieu denies all of the allegations against him.
Additional Insights
- The Union of French Filmmakers has announce their support for Depardieu, despite the potential revocation of his Legion of Honor due to his misogynistic comments in the documentary.
- The public and media in France are divided about Depardieu's situation, with some supporting his artistic accomplishments and others feeling his controversial comments overshadow his career.
Source: stern.de
Enrichment Data:
Depardieu's controversial comments are within the broader context of sexual abuse and harassment allegations within the French film industry, particularly involving Christophe Ruggia and Adele Haenel. The case has started a discussion about accountability and sexual misconduct within the French cinema world. Despite the ongoing investigation and lawsuits against him, Depardieu has offered to return his Legion of Honor award, as reported by his lawyers. French politicians and the public are still debating the actor's future in the entertainment industry and the validity of his Legion of Honor honors.
