Télé-Québec and Radio-Canada are following in the footsteps of French and Belgian public broadcasters and removing from their programs films starring actor Gérard Depardieu, who is at the center of a sex scandal in France.
• Also read: Gérard Depardieu was removed from the ranks of the National Order of Quebec
• Also read: The Depardieu Monster
• Also read: “They are big sluts”: new disturbing images of Gérard Depardieu denigrating exposed women
In an email exchange with Le Journal on Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the public broadcaster confirmed that “taking into account current events, Télé-Québec has taken the decision to withdraw films starring Gérard Depardieu from its offering,” specifying that this withdrawal “is currently in progress”.
At least three films with Depardieu in the credits appeared on the Télé-Québec platform on Wednesday: “The Man Who Laughs,” “My Uncle from America” and “Amoureux de ma femme.”
“In the current context, Radio-Canada is taking a break from broadcasting and online publishing films and series starring French actor Gérard Depardieu,” said Marc Pichette, senior director, promotions and public relations for the Crown corporation.
The films Potiche and Jean de Florette were on Radio-Canada and ARTV's program on Saturday. They will be replaced by other feature films.
In Europe, the broadcasters France Télévisions and RTBF announced that they would no longer buy or broadcast films in which Depardieu is the main actor.
REMOVED
Earlier Wednesday, the Quebec government removed the French actor from the Quebec National Order because of “the scandalous statements” he made in front of the cameras, Prime Minister François Legault said.
In a documentary from the program Complément d'investigation, broadcast last Thursday on France 2 and which Radio-Canada will present next Tuesday, we were able to see and hear how Gérard Depardieu spoke in harsh and degrading terms about women during a trip to North Korea 2018 and called them “big sluts.”
Since April, the 74-year-old actor has been faced with allegations from thirteen women who allegedly denounced sexual violence on film sets between 2004 and 2022.