Michal David books Gérard Depardieu for a Prague concert
An 18-month suspended prison sentence and a string of canceled shows across France have not stopped Czech singer Michal David from booking French actor Gérard Depardieu for a Prague concert titled The Magic of Chanson, according to Novinky.
Honoring Barbara on Stage
The performance is designed to honor the late French singer Barbara, whose real name was Monique Serf. Depardieu previously collaborated with Barbara on the 1986 stage musical Lily Passion. That production formed the foundation for a 2017 posthumous album of the same name containing eleven unreleased tracks.
Court Finds Depardieu Guilty of Sexual Assault
Depardieu built an international career starting in the mid-1970s, appearing in roughly two hundred roles across film and television, including Cyrano de Bergerac, Green Card, Asterix and Obelix, Shut Up!, and the miniseries The Count of Monte Cristo.
In May 2025, a court found him guilty of sexual assault against two women—a prop master and an assistant director—whom he encountered on the 2021 set of the drama Les Volets verts. The court handed down an 18-month suspended prison sentence, with the judgment stating that the actor failed to grasp the concept of consent regarding sexual activity.
Depardieu immediately filed an appeal against the verdict. The Paris Court of Appeal is scheduled to begin hearings on November 16, just two weeks after the Prague concert, meaning Depardieu will still be serving his suspended sentence during the Czech appearance.
Organizer Defense in Prague
Luboš Procházka, a media representative for the organizer, explained the rationale behind the event to Novinky.
“Michal David met Mr. Depardieu during his current stays in Prague, where the actor has a Czech girlfriend,” Procházka said. “His standpoint is that he is preparing a cultural evening with an international reach.”
When asked by reporters whether the presence of a convicted felon posed a concern for Michal David, the representative replied, “The trial with Mr. Depardieu has no connection whatsoever with the concert performance on the territory of the Czech Republic.”
Protests Cancel Recitals as Russian Ties Damage Reputation
The exact same recital, originally titled Depardieu chante Barbara, faced heavy criticism when organizers attempted to stage it in 2023. Following widespread public protests, organizers canceled the performances in multiple French cities, including Le Havre, Lille, and Bordeaux. Demonstrators also disrupted scheduled shows in Lyon and Marseille.
The actor’s public standing also suffered due to his ties to Russia. In 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin granted Depardieu Russian citizenship, after which the actor praised the country as a great democracy. Ukraine responded in 2015 by banning him from entering the country for five years.
Depardieu altered his stance following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, labeling Putin’s actions as crazy and unacceptable antics. Even so, he retained his Russian passport. Later that year, he stated in an interview that he had previously acquired citizenship in the United Arab Emirates.