Celebrities’ letter defending Gérard Depardieu causes outrage in France

Signatories of open letter, who include Charlotte Rampling and Carla Bruni, accused of placing actor above the law

An open letter signed by 56 prominent figures defending Gérard Depardieu and suggesting the cinema giant who has been accused of rape and sexual assault is the victim of a “lynching” has sparked outrage in France.

Critics have accused signatories – including the British actor Charlotte Rampling, the former French first lady Carla Bruni, and Depardieu’s former partner the actor Carole Bouquet – of placing him above the law and attempting to drown out #MeToo voices.