Macron Publicly Defends Depardieu as Great Admirer Following Report
Macron publicly defended Depardieu as great admirer after investigation broadcast.
Event / Politics
Gérard Depardieu Legal Cases
French actor Gérard Depardieu withdrew his defamation lawsuit against France Télévisions regarding a 2023 report documenting allegations of sexual misconduct and degrading remarks toward a child. He faces ongoing criminal proceedings including appeal trials and charges related to 2018 and 2021 incidents.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 17 Apr, 11:07 UTC
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What happened
Depardieu faces appeal trial in Paris for sexual assault of two women during 2021 film production
Gérard Depardieu is scheduled to be tried on appeal in Paris for sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021. He was initially convicted to 18 months of suspended prison in the first instance judgment.
Complément d'Enquête report aired showing Depardieu making degrading comments toward a child
A Complément d'Enquête report titled "La Chute de l'ogre" was broadcast on December 7, 2023, depicting footage from Depardieu's 2018 trip to North Korea with writer Yann Moix. The report showed Depardieu making sexually suggestive and degrading remarks while a young girl was shown riding a horse at a stud farm. The report also included an accusation of rape from actress Charlotte Arnould and allegations of sexual assault from other women.
Emmanuel Macron publicly defended Depardieu as great admirer after report broadcast
Days after the Complément d'Enquête report was broadcast in December 2023, President Emmanuel Macron defended Depardieu, describing himself as a 'great admirer' and suggesting the actor 'made France proud.' Macron suggested the images might have been manipulated, stating he had heard controversies about words being misaligned with the footage.
Gérard Depardieu withdraws legal case against France Télévisions
French actor Gérard Depardieu withdrew his lawsuit against France Télévisions and related parties including network president Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, the reportage authors, and production company Hikari. The withdrawal was announced by his lawyer Delphine Meillet at a hearing before the Paris correctional court. The lawsuit had contested an allegedly dishonest edit in a Complément d'Enquête report.
Depardieu remanded to criminal court over rape allegations from actress Charlotte Arnould
At the end of August 2025, Depardieu was ordered to appear before the criminal court of Paris regarding rape allegations made by French actress Charlotte Arnould. Depardieu subsequently filed an appeal of this remittal, which is to be examined by the court of appeal.
Two judicial expert assessments confirm Depardieu made sexually suggestive remarks toward child
Two court-ordered expert assessments concluded that Depardieu made remarks with sexual connotations directed toward a young girl and ruled out any fraudulent manipulation of images by the Complément d'Enquête production team, according to France Télévisions.
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2 alternative perspectives
Depardieu Faces Appeal Trial in Paris Over Sexual Assault Allegations
Depardieu faces Paris appeal trial for sexual assault allegations from two women in 2021.
Depardieu Withdraws Defamation Case Against France Télévisions
Depardieu withdraws defamation lawsuit after expert assessments confirm allegations of inappropriate comments.