The French will always love this man, as Gerard Depardieu personifies (on screen and in life) much of their essence from a certain perspective.
They will eventually ‘forgive’ him for ditching the sky high French taxation (78%?!)on earned income and moving to Putin’s Russia. Meanwhile, Gerard feigns regret, sorrow and contrition when he visits France. Well, he is an actor.
Russia has always had a very high regard for all things French. According to Tolstoy’s War and Peace, they had a grudging respect for Napoleon’s incredible boldness and willing to take chances. Most unfortunate, they quickly add, that Napoleon’s last big gamble of invading via the Russia forest during winter, did not pay off at all. Tsk Tsk!