France is known for its movies that touch the heart and move the spirit. Some of the biggest films in history have come from France including “Amelie,” “The Artist” and “La Cage Aux Folles.” The actors in these films have earned fame and tons of money for these movies. Their names are known around the world and many have even worked in other countries, such as the U.S., only adding to their fame. Why then, if French cinema is so popular and important, are several of the country’s biggest stars planning to leave France?
Gerard Depardieu Wants to Keep His Money
The mass exodus from France all started with icon Gerard Depardieu. He has a very recognizable face and name in the U.S., but for those that don’t recognize him might remember him from “Green Card,” “My Father the Hero,” and “Cyrano de Bergerac.” France plans to increase taxes up to 75% for anyone in the upper million dollar income bracket. That means rich actors like Gerard Depardieu. He threatened to leave France and that began a media sensation that spread from France to the U.S. The actor moved just outside the border of France in protest.
Hollywood loves Depardieu, but he plans to move to Russia. Vladimir Putin offered his close friend Depardieu Russian citizenship and he’s taking it. France has since overturned the tax hike, but he’s still leaving. Depardieu might pop up in more Russian films and have a few French restaurants in the country. He’ll get to keep his earnings, too.
Mathieu Kassovitz Hates Hollywood Copycats
In the U.S., Mathieu Kassovitz is best known for in the film “Amelie.” He was the man Amelie practically stalked to earn his attention. Few recognize him as the director of “Babylon A.D.” and “Gothika.” In France, he is well known as the director of the controversial film “La Haine.”
Why does Kassovitz want to leave his home country France? He believes that French cinema has forgotten about art. Making movies is an artistic medium for him. He has claimed, which much anger and swearing, that France does nothing more now than copy Hollywood. He wants to leave France and continue to make his art instead of continuing to work for an industry that only cares about making money like Hollywood.
Brigitte Bardot Wants to Save the Animals
Probably the funniest and least believable story of a French actor planning to leave the country is that of Brigitte Bardot. Bardot has been in nearly 50 films, but she isn’t known for her acting. Bardot was one of the biggest bombshells in film history. Her looks and body were known in Hollywood despite only working in France.
Why does the beauty want to leave France? It has nothing to do with French cinema. She is protesting the euthanasia of two sick elephants. She has fought for the courts to provide them with medical treatment instead of death, and she was denied. Bardot has used the Depardieu fiasco to get media attention, stating to the media that she will ask for Russian citizenship just like Depardieu. She’s probably not going anywhere.
