Nadine Williams

Gerard Depardieu – mauvaises manieres

He is probably the most famous face on French films, yet Gerard Depardieu’s recent rude outburst against fellow French actor Juliette Binoche reeks of sour grapes.

The star of 50 films, Mme Binoche is also one of the foremost French actors of her generation and was awarded the coveted best actress award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

But to Depardieu Juliette Binoche is “nothing’’.

In an ashtonishing outburst, he said in a frank interview : “Please explain to me what the secret of this actress is meant to be? I would really like to know why she has been so esteemed for so many years. She is nothing. Absolutely nothing.’’

Binoche won the award for best actress at CANNES for her role in Abbas Kiarostami’s Copie Conforme (Certified Copy). But 61-year-old Depardieu is dismissive citing a string of her female peers: “Compared with her, Isabelle Adjani is great even if she’s nuts. Or Fanny Ardent – she is magnificent. But Binoche? What has she ever had going for her?’
And he reiterated “She is nothing’’.

His extraordinary rant continued when he attacked French Film director Leos Carax, who cast Binoche, 46, in Les Amants du Pont Neuf . “ Carax needed six years to shoot the film with Binoche, which turned out not even to be a film but just a piece of shit.’’

Experts had other opinions pointing out that the big difference is that Binoche has an Oscar and Depardieu does not despite his unparalleled prolific career in French film.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 
•