Pocaloca

I see Gerard Depardieu has taken Russian citizenship rather than pay the higher tax in France.

Is he that desperate to hang on to his wealth that he will voluntarily exile himself from his homeland and take up residence in some godforsaken snow-covered village in a country run by a despotic maniac? I realise he probably won't spend much time there, and is doing it to make a political point, but even so!

What do you think of people like him? Is he to be admired, or ridiculed?

Lynn R

My first thought, although shamefully shallow, is that he looks more like Demis Roussos in that get-up!

He's just like Andrew Lloyd Webber, Paul Daniels and others of that ilk who always threaten to leave the UK if taxes go up. Why is it always the plug ugly ones?

Domino

When he made the move a few miles into Belgium to make the point about taxation I thought Good On You.
But taking the hastily offered Russian citizenship from megalomaniac Putin I felt he had made an ass of himself.
Even more so that he has been paraded in front of press in an alternate version of the parading of Gary Powers decades ago.

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rafikiphoto

I think Domino covered it but my reaction? Plonker!

Rotor

Attention seeking fool ,he could have become a cat 2 resident in Gib and few would have been any wiser, looking at him he will probably soon die of a heart attack.

Dick Dasterdly

Agree,
What a sad barsteward.
Putin also, I wonder how long he can hang in there ?
His pathetic P.R. stunts are starting to wear a bit thin, as well as increasingly making him a laughing stock for the rest of the World.

Domino

was a time when he was a bankable international/hollywood leading man.

regrettably he is not wearing a bit thing, looking more like Fatty Arbuckle than a leading man
but provides plenty of material for the stand-up comics of all nations

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Pocaloca

Well he's made his fortune now, he doesn't have to worry about what he looks like any more.

Ironic that much of his income came from the French taxpayers, who heavily subsidised that country's film industry. But he clearly doesn't feel he has to give anything back.

Domino

He's an artist - that means he can do what he wants when he wants

And he did go to Hollywood for a time, but no longer on their lists..

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Dick Dasterdly

After his latest performance with Putin, I think P... artist is now his fuerte.

amideislas

personally, I think the guy is a fart in the wind, but I don't blame him for leaving a place that penalises anyone who somehow manages to achieve some prosperity despite the odds against it in these challenging times.

It appears that Mr. Hollande has been having some second thoughts about it too. Sure, it's currently fashionable and politically advantageous to penalise anyone who manages to prosper, but if they all leave town, who's gonna pay the bills? Certainly the growing ranks of those living on state subsidies and welfare won't be able to contribute.

Hmmmm.. Maybe we better think through that one again...

Besides, the French courts found it unconstitutional. But apparently Francois is seeking a less controversial way to penalise the high earners, without sending a message to the world that France is a better place to be poor than a good place to prosper.

Domino

whilst not wanting to take a Russian olive branch it would appear that Bernard Arnault of LVMH has after several months of talk confirmed he will be moving to Belgium to protect the future of his business.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/52fa2e32-6...#axzz2IyPU2QTo

steviedeluxe

There's talk Ex President Sarkozy and Carla Bruni are heading to London..

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwo...ard-depardieu/

Domino

must be by his ex wife and/or his political opponents, last I heard he was going to stand for the next presidential elections so wouldnt consider giving up his residency.
buying a house/flat in London is a different matter - many people from various nations have done it, driving up the prices in some areas.

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reggiedh

And Tina Turner is giving up her American citizenship and staying in Switzerland.