The Cannes Film Festival began this year with a significant event as renowned French actor Gérard Depardieu was found guilty of sexual assault. Depardieu, who won the best actor prize at Cannes in 1990, received an 18-month suspended sentence for assaulting two women in 2021 during the filming of "Les Volets Verts."
This conviction has been interpreted as a notable success for the #MeToo movement in France, which has evolved more gradually compared to its counterpart in the United States. The reactions to Depardieu’s conviction varied among attendees at the festival, with some expressing serious concern while others displayed indifference.
During a news conference introducing this year’s competition jury, actress Juliette Binoche addressed questions regarding the verdict. She acknowledged the impact of the #MeToo movement on the festival, emphasizing that it is becoming more aligned with contemporary social issues. Binoche noted that the movement took time to gain momentum in France.
In contrast to the current sentiment, many in France were initially skeptical about the #MeToo movement. In 2018, a letter in Le Monde, signed by actress Catherine Deneuve and over 100 other women, criticized the climate of public accusations as overly repressive.
Binoche was also questioned about a recent open letter in Le Figaro that defended Depardieu, referring to him as a “sacred monster” and labeling the allegations against him as a “lynching.” She responded by stating that while Depardieu is not a monster, he has lost his reputation due to the court's findings.
Depardieu has been a fixture at Cannes since 1976 and has participated in nearly 30 films at the festival, even serving as jury president in 1992. At a beach party on the festival’s opening night, publicist Michel Burstein described the situation as complex, acknowledging Depardieu’s alleged guilt while also recognizing his substantial contributions to the arts.
Producer Benjamin Zeitoun expressed hesitance to judge the situation, emphasizing the difficulties of forming an opinion without complete knowledge of the circumstances. The #MeToo movement has previously sparked discussions at Cannes, notably when actress Asia Argento described the festival as Harvey Weinstein’s “hunting ground” in 2018.
Rupa Dash, CEO of the World Woman Foundation, characterized Depardieu’s conviction as a win for the #MeToo movement, though she noted that such discussions often occur on the periphery of the festival. The festival’s director, Thierry Frémaux, avoided a direct answer regarding Depardieu's future invitations to Cannes, stating that he respects the legal system and the need to address such matters individually.
The Cannes press office did not respond to a request for comment regarding the festival's stance on the conviction.