http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2253794/Bulgarias-bizarre-advert-tax-exile-Gerard-Depardieu.htmlDepardieu, 64, and Arnault, 63, both recently announced they were fleeing to Belgium to dodge France's new massive tax hike on the rich of 75 per cent on all earnings over one million euros.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2253794/Bulgarias-bizarre-advert-tax-exile-Gerard-Depardieu.html#ixzz2GI95i5Ra http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9761451/Catherine-Deneuve-defends-Gerard-Depardieu.htmlJean-Marc Ayrault, the French prime minister, led the attacks on Depardieu calling his move "pathetic" while French actor Philippe Torreton accused Depardieu of thinking only of himself and money.
Deneuve, who has acted alongside Depardieu in countless films, said Mr Ayrault's comments were, "not worthy of a head of state," but she specifically aimed her remarks at Mr Torreton. Depardieu "is a great actor, and you're just expressing your resentment," she writes, later adding: "it is not up to you to judge!"
In reference to the French Revolution she later adds: "What would you have done in 1789, I still tremble to think of it!"
Deneuve says she does not necessarily agree with Depardieu's decision to renounce his French citizenship, but defends his right to do as he pleases.
http://www.npr.org/2012/12/27/168143152/gerard-depardieus-tax-flight-stirs-fierce-debate-in-franceAudio for this story from All Things Considered will be available at approximately 7:00 p.m. ET.
Depardieu, who has been in around 200 films, says he's moving to Belgium to avoid paying a new 75 percent tax on the superwealthy. The move has divided the country and has focused attention on the Socialist government's controversial new tax policy.
The uproar began just before Christmas, when it came to light that Depardieu bought a home in Nechin, a drab Belgian village less than a mile over the French border. Depardieu admitted to establishing a foreign residence to escape new French tax rates.
French President Francois Hollande is counting on the rich to balance the country's budget for the first time since 1973. So Depardieu's move didn't go over well with the government.
"It's pathetic really," Prime Minister Jean Marc Ayrault said earlier this month. "Paying taxes is an act of patriotism and we're asking the rich to make a special effort here for the country."
Depardieu shot back at Ayrault in an open letter published in a major Sunday newspaper, Le Journal du Dimanche.
"I am leaving because......."
