CANNES, France — Actress Juliette Binoche spoke candidly about the recent conviction of French actor Gérard Depardieu, stating he is “no longer sacred.” Binoche’s remarks came during a press conference for the Cannes Competition jury, where the topic of sexual assault and the #MeToo movement was prominent.
Binoche, responding to multiple inquiries about Depardieu, emphasized the need to reconsider the power dynamics in the arts. “For me, what is sacred is when something happens, when you create, when you act, when you are on stage,” she said. “Now he is no longer sacred. That means you need to think hard about the power wielded by certain people who take that power; and the power may lie elsewhere.”
Depardieu received an 18-month suspended prison sentence along with a €20,000 fine after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021. He will also be required to register as a sexual offender.
During the conference, Binoche was asked whether this conviction signifies another advancement in the #MeToo movement that has gained momentum over the past seven years. She noted that the Cannes festival reflects the broader social and political changes occurring globally. “There have been great changes occurring in the world,” Binoche observed. “Sometimes [the festival] follows the trend, sometimes it spearheads it—it depends on the area. I think the festival is increasingly in-step with today.”
The press conference, lasting 25 minutes, also covered political topics as Binoche was queried about Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on international films entering the U.S. She expressed that the issue requires a deeper analysis of the global film industry. “I understand President Trump is trying to protect his country—we understood that from the beginning,” Binoche said.
Fellow jury member Jeremy Strong drew a connection between cinema and the political arena. He recalled his portrayal of Roy Cohn, a figure often linked to Trump’s persona, in the Cannes title “The Apprentice.” Strong described Cohn as “the progenitor of fake news,” saying his participation on the jury serves as a counterbalance to Cohn’s legacy.
At a pre-festival press conference, general delegate Thierry Frémaux remarked that it is too soon to assess the potential ramifications of Trump’s tariffs on the cinematic landscape.
Halle Berry, also part of the jury, addressed the recent acquisition of the James Bond franchise by Amazon, reflecting on her role as Jinx in the 2002 film “Die Another Day.” When asked if 007 could be portrayed as a woman, she smiled and expressed uncertainty. “I don’t know if that’s the right thing to do,” she said, adding that she believes the window for a Jinx spin-off has closed.
The nine-member jury includes a diverse mix of talents: Binoche, Strong, Berry, Alba Rohrwacher, filmmakers Dieudo Hamadi, Hong Sang-soo, Payal Kapadia, Carlos Reygadas, and writer Leila Slimani.
This year’s festival kicks off this evening with the world premiere of Amelie Bonnin’s French comedy “Leave One Day.” Additionally, Robert De Niro will be honored with an honorary award during the opening ceremony.
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