Overview

• Gérard Depardieu, a renowned French actor, is facing charges of rape and multiple accusations of sexual assault, causing a major split in French cinema and wider society.
• President Emmanuel Macron has publicly defended Depardieu, praising his contributions to French cinema and condemning what he calls a 'manhunt' against the actor.
• A petition supporting Depardieu, signed by several notable figures including former French first lady Carla Bruni, has sparked controversy and led to counter-petitions denouncing the actor's behavior.
• Depardieu's behavior has led to his wax sculpture being removed from the Musée Grevin in Paris, and Swiss public broadcaster RTS has halted the broadcast of films where he plays a leading role.
• Macron's defense of Depardieu has been criticized as a lack of empathy for the plaintiffs and a tin-eared attitude on issues of gender violence.