Gérard Depardieu accused of 'unacceptable behaviour' on Luxembourg film set

The filming of Diamant 13 in Luxembourg in 2008, starring French film star Gérard Depardieu, left behind troubling memories for some. Testimony from a former stage manager raises concerns of harassment and abuse of power on film sets. A producer and an actress have taken action, and the Film Fund has followed suit.

The #MeToo movement has shaken up society as a whole, and particularly the film industry. Recent accusations against French filmmakers Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon, with the former charged with raping two actresses, underscore this shift.

In Luxembourg, the film industry has grown considerably since the 1990s but, despite the fact that many stars have visited the Grand Duchy, no formal complaint has ever been lodged. This does not imply that behaviour on film sets has always been exemplary. Among the numerous testimonies against actor Gérard Depardieu, one woman's account resonated in Luxembourg.

An obscene 'ogre'

In 2008, Marylène Andrin, a 23-year-old stage manager, was discovering the intricacies of the film industry on the set of Diamant 13 in the Grand Duchy. What should have been an enriching experience was marred by the behaviour of a star who can seemingly get away with anything. At the time, the #MeToo movement had not yet emerged.

Speaking to our colleagues from RTL Infos, Andrin recalls her unsettling experiences while working as on the set of Diamant 13 in Luxembourg. She describes herself as "hiding in a corner," managing communications between different parts of the set. "I was very much in the background," she explains, "when suddenly Gérard Depardieu, who commanded a lot of attention during the shoot, snuck into the corridor where I was and, out of nowhere, said some obscenities to me."

Andrin vividly recounts the incident, stating, "He approached me with a very serious expression and said: 'You like them small and when they grow fat in the mouth'." She recalls feeling intimidated by Depardieu's presence, likening him to "an ogre" in that moment.

The unsettling encounters did not end there. Andrin also recounts an uncomfortable incident where she was required to give Depardieu the keys to her production car so he could use it to relieve himself, all in what she describes as an "obscene atmosphere." A technician present on set, who prefers to remain anonymous, adds another incident where Depardieu allegedly called a photographer who had not turned up a "whore" out of frustration.

Following Andrin's testimony on a French television programme, she faced a barrage of hateful comments on social media. Reflecting on the experience, she remarks that, now being in her forties, reading those comments was "almost amusing."

"But if I'd found myself at the centre of that when I was 23, I'm not sure I'd be here, smiling, talking about it," she acknowledges.

Behaviour condoned: 'It's fine, it's Gérard!'

During her time on set, Andrin recalls being encouraged by the film crew to move past the incidents she experienced. She frequently heard the phrase "it's fine, it's Gérard," underscoring an atmosphere that seemed to condone Depardieu's behaviour.

Claude Waringo, the Luxembourg producer of the film Diamant 13 from Samsa Film, responded to these revelations when contacted by our colleagues from RTL Infos: "I only learned about this testimony after it was aired. If I had been aware of what happened at the time, I would have intervened."

More than 15 years after the events, Andrin remains critical of how allegations from women, ranging from unwanted advances to attempted assault, were often dismissed until a wider audience witnessed Depardieu's controversial remarks about a young girl on a France Télévisions programme.

In response to these revelations, some professionals in the Luxembourg film industry are taking proactive steps. Alexandra Hoesdorff, a producer at Deal Productions who collaborates with actress and director Désirée Nosbusch, has made combating abusive behaviour a priority: "We recognised the need for action." All of the production company's contracts now include a charter. Additionally, an impartial person explains the company's policies to everyone before filming begins and serves as a safe point of contact for victims. "Whether they are technicians or actors, we do not tolerate any abuse of power," Hoesdorff stresses.

Guy Daleiden, director of the Luxembourg Film Fund, which supports filmmaking in the country, also responded to Marylène Andrin's testimony: "For us, this behaviour is unacceptable, and we have taken action." The Film Fund focuses on prevention, organising awareness and training sessions, and implementing measures to ensure such incidents do not occur.

Among the initiatives planned is the Film Fund's inaugural seminar related to the issue on 15 November, which will be mandatory for producers applying for financial assistance. The seminar will feature speakers from a French law firm that has previously conducted similar sessions for the French community in Belgium.

Cinema about more than just 'know-how'

Hoesdorff, like many women in the film industry, has witnessed and sometimes experienced inappropriate behaviour. She acknowledges that such behaviour was tacitly tolerated for a long time: "In previous years, it was the norm, not just in the film industry but in many professions. Hierarchy is often confused with domination."

The film industry, with its blend of behind-the-scenes professionals and high-profile artists, creates a unique environment that can foster toxic power dynamics.

"Cinema isn't just about know-how," asserts Andrin. "It's also about knowing how to behave, like any other job. Respecting each other starts with saying hello on the set when you arrive."

Today, Andrin balances her career as a specialist educator with her passion for cinema, continuing to write fiction and direct short films. Her upcoming project, Raccrocher, is produced by Luxembourg-based Six Letters.

Meanwhile, Poison, the debut feature film directed by Désirée Nosbusch and produced by Deal Productions, premiered at the Munich Film Fest in early July. Starring Trine Dyrholm and Tim Roth, the film tells a poignant love story of a couple reunited after tragedy tears them apart.

© Deal Productions

Full video report by RTL Infos (in French)