In December 2020, Gérard Depardieu was indicted for rape and sexual assault following a complaint from a young actress, Charlotte Arnould. The magazine investigated the very closed world of French cinema and returns to the journey of a once sacred monster.
Equivocal grunts, a clear obsession with sex, shocking remarks: “Complement of investigation” reveals disturbing images, never-broadcast filming images which highlight a freewheeling Gérard Depardieu, who constantly seems to drift on the register sexual as soon as he is in the presence of women.
Protected by his aura
These images take on a very special meaning today: on December 16, 2020, Gérard Depardieu was indicted for rape and sexual assault following the complaint of a young actress, Charlotte Arnould. Since then, around fifteen other women have also accused the actor of sexual violence.
What was really going on on the sets and behind the scenes? The magazine investigated the very closed world of French cinema. If in front of the camera, the headliners dodge and tongues are difficult to speak, under cover of anonymity, some say that many knew but said nothing, the actor would have been protected by his aura and his omnipotence in the seventh art.
New testimonies
This investigation reveals the unpublished story of a woman who claims to be a victim of the actor, and returns with new testimonies on an article from 1978, which went unnoticed at the time, in which the actor nevertheless recounted having been involved in rapes in his youth, which he denies today. Gérard Depardieu’s brother but also his relatives like Josée Dayan and his childhood friends also agreed to answer the magazine’s questions.
Gérard Depardieu published an open letter in October 2023 in Le Figaro where he rejects all accusations and claims not to be “a predator”. Since then, the actor has remained silent and hidden away, between his private mansion in the 6th arrondissement of Paris and stays abroad, far from his objectives. “Further investigation” into a once sacred monster, today hunted by justice and the paparazzi.
An investigation by Damien Fleurette, Daniele Vella and Emmanuel Baert.
The editorial staff of “Complément d’investigation” invites you to comment on the program on Facebook or on Twitter with the hashtag #ComplementDenquete.
> Replays of France Télévisions news magazines are available on the Franceinfo website and its mobile application (iOS & Android), “Magazines” section.