In a candid statement made on the set of C'est à vous, the popular primetime TV magazine, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his admiration for renowned actor Gerard Depardieu, who is currently facing new sexual assault accusations. Macron's remarks come amidst a wave of controversy and renewed discussions around the #MeToo movement in France.

Macron praised Depardieu as an "immense actor" and credited him for bringing French culture to the world through his performances. "He made France known, our greatest authors, our greatest characters, across the world," said Macron, who emphasized that his support for Depardieu extends not only as the president of France but also as a citizen. He added, "He makes France proud."

The indictment against Depardieu was issued on December 16, 2020, in connection with allegations of rape and sexual assault dating back to a 2018 lawsuit filed by actor Charlotte Arnould. However, it was the airing of an investigative documentary, Complement d'Enquête, on December 7 that intensified the outrage in France. The documentary featured footage of Depardieu making crude, sexual, and misogynistic jokes, including one referencing a child.

Additionally, the documentary shed light on testimonies from alleged sexual assault victims of Depardieu. One of the accusers, Emmanuelle Debever, tragically took her own life on the day of the documentary's airing by jumping from a bridge into the Seine river in Paris. Debever had accused Depardieu of assaulting her when she was 19 during the filming of "Danton" in 1982. Another actor, Hélène Darras, who also appeared in the documentary, filed a police complaint alleging that Depardieu sexually assaulted her during the filming of "Disco" in 2007. Darras was among the 13 women who shared their testimonies in an investigative report published by Mediapart in April.

Depardieu's legal representation, now handled by Christian Jean-Palais, has declined to comment on the new complaint, which is currently under investigation by the Paris prosecutors' office. In a brief open letter published in Le Figaro newspaper on October 1, Depardieu denied all the allegations, alluding to his longstanding friendship with Arnould's parents.

The backlash against Depardieu's alleged actions has been significant, prompting discussions about potentially revoking his Legion of Honor. Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak suggested that his prestigious award could be taken away, drawing a parallel to Macron's decision to revoke Harvey Weinstein's Legion of Honor following rape accusations in 2017. However, Macron responded to Malak's comments by questioning the appropriateness of taking away such honors based solely on a news report. He expressed his reluctance to engage in "manhunts" and stressed the importance of the presumption of innocence, which he considers a fundamental value in French society.

While there have been calls for action and consequences, Macron's support for Depardieu has stirred controversy. He asserted that it is not his intention to revoke the Legion of Honor from artists and personalities solely for making statements that he finds shocking. Macron showed visible distress during his remarks, underscoring his commitment to upholding France's core values and the principles of justice.

The French president's government has also faced criticism for allowing Dominique Boutonnat, the president of the National Film Board, to remain in his position for a second mandate despite being indicted for sexual assault on his godson.

The ongoing saga surrounding Gerard Depardieu's sexual assault allegations continues to spark debate in France, questioning the balance between honoring artistic achievements and addressing serious accusations of misconduct. As the investigation unfolds, the public awaits further developments and the potential impact it may have on both the individuals involved and the broader issues of accountability and justice.