"It's the role of artists to take sides," says French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, reacting to a column signed by several cinema personalities on the "silence" surrounding the war in Gaza. Speaking in Brussels, where she is meeting with European counterparts, Dati says "I'd be very surprised if cultural and artistic players weren't mobilised...I think that's what culture and politics are for". Dati also addresses the sexual assault conviction of French actor Gerard Depardieu. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES