Depardieu convicted. Cannes reacts. But did #MeToo finally win in France? | World News
PARIS — For powerful men in France’s film industry, this was a week of reckoning. Depardieu convicted. Cannes reacts. But did #MeToo finally win in France? Gérard Depardieu — the country’s most famous actor — was convicted of sexual assault. Two days later, the Cannes Film Festival barred another actor accused of rape from walking the red carpet. Together, the decisions sent a message France had long resisted: that artistic brilliance may no longer shield those who abuse their power. For decades, Depardieu was revered as French cinema’s “sacred monster” — a towering talent whose gluttony, volatility, and magnetism became part of his myth. With more than 250 films to his name, many believed he would remain untouchable even after more than 20 women accused him of sexual misconduct. Now, that myth has cracked. The verdict has revived a broader question France has ducked since the dawn of #MeToo: Can a country that celebrates seduction and irreverence finally hold its male icons to account? France has long lived its own #MeToo contradiction with a long-held …
