Deneuve defends Depardieu over move to BelgiumDecember 21, 2012 - 15:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - French actress Catherine Deneuve has defended fellow movie star Gerard Depardieu over his move to Belgium, BBC News reports. In an open letter Deneuve voiced fury that another actor, Philippe Torreton, had attacked Depardieu for leaving France "with a load of dosh". Deneuve said "he [Depardieu] is a great actor and you're just expressing your resentment". She starred with Depardieu in several classic French films. Depardieu has criticized the Socialist government for its new 75% wealth tax. Next year, the top rate of income tax in France is due to become 75% on earnings above 1m euros. Belgium's highest tax rate is currently 50%. French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has condemned Depardieu's decision as "shabby". In her letter, headlined "Monsieur Torreton..." in the left-wing daily Liberation, Catherine Deneuve accused the actor of "pettiness". "To take aim at his physique! His talent! This 'mess' you speak of - what right do you have, what democratic motive do you claim as grounds for your dirty condemnation?" Depardieu, 63, announced earlier this month that he was moving just over the French border to the small Belgian town of Nechin. Deneuve starred with him in some landmarks of French cinema, including Jules and Jim and The Last Metro. More recently they acted together in the Franco-Belgian comedy, Potiche. Earlier, another star of French cinema, Brigitte Bardot, also defended Depardieu, saying he was the victim of "unfair vilification". "Even if he is a fan of bullfighting, that does not prevent him being an exceptional actor who represents France with a unique fame and popularity," said Bardot, a campaigner for animal rights. On Thursday, Dec 20, the row spread to Russia where President Vladimir Putin addressed the actor's move abroad during his marathon annual news conference. Putin told a big live audience: "I'm sure the French authorities did not want to offend Mr Depardieu. But if he'd like to have a Russian passport, consider it settled." Top stories The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The festival made the news public on March 19, saying that “several options are considered in order to preserve its running” Partner news | India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. Mkhitaryan raises arrest of former Karabakh leaders in Azerbaijan Inter Milan star Henrikh Mkhitaryan has shared a news story about the extension of the arrest of former Karabakh leaders. |