“Want to vomit”: the cinema and audiovisual industry distances itself from Gérard Depardieu

Thursday evening on France 2, the program “Complément d’investigation dedicated to the actor Gérard Depardieu returned to the accusations of rape and sexual assault made against the actor by revealing new testimonies. Excerpts from a never-finalized documentary notably shed light on the actor's obsession with sex which is reflected in his words and behavior.

The day after this broadcast, several personalities from the world of cinema expressed the disgust that the France 2 investigation inspired in them. First and foremost, Fabien Onteniente. It was he who directed Disco in 2007, a film on the set of which Gérard Depardieu allegedly attacked Hélène Darras. Guest of France Info on Friday, Onteniente explained that he was “discovering the story of this gentleman piece by piece”. “It’s not in my values, it’s not possible to turn a blind eye to this kind of unacceptable behavior,” he added, specifying that he would no longer film with Gérard Depardieu.

Questioned by Complément d'investigation about the accusations of sexual assault on the set of Disco, Fabien Onteniente explained that he did not remember an incident at the time. While specifying that he had to reframe Gérard Depardieu during another filming, years later, for his behavior with extras.

Since the broadcast of the investigation, and sometimes even since the publication of extracts, several cinema and television personalities have distanced themselves from the actor. Starting with the director of cinema and international development at France Télévision, Manuel Alduy, who had already “put on pause” possible new productions with Gérard Depardieu. Even the broadcast of films with the actor starring is now suspended. “Impunity towards characters like this, if it remains total, is a real problem for the victims of a system,” reacted actress Clotilde Hesme at the microphone of BFMTV.

France Télévision host Faustine Bollaert described the actor's behavior as “unbearable” in a short message on social networks.

The host of France Has Incredible Talent, Justine Becattini (Juju Fitcats) explained that she “wanted to vomit” after watching the extract where Depardieu is visiting a stud farm in North Korea. The YouTuber added: “Mr. Depardieu, if we riders ride horses, it is because these “animals” are much more human, intelligent and respectful than you will ever be.”

Gérard Depardieu is the subject of two complaints for rape and sexual assault. The latest is that of the actress Hélène Darras. She accuses the actor of having “groped” her during the filming of the film Disco in 2007.