Johnny Depp made a divisive comeback at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival with the premiere of his historical drama Jeanne du Barry. This marked his first public appearance since his legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard, including a defamation trial.
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Depp was welcomed by fans with applause, tears, and cheers as he walked the red carpet, showing their strong support for him. Despite the growing criticism he faced both in person and online due to controversies surrounding his personal life, supporters held signs expressing their love and congratulations for Depp.
Jeanne du Barry, a historical romance movie directed by Maïwenn Le Besco, featured Depp in the role of Louis XV. It was a significant role for the actor since his legal battles with Heard. Depp won a defamation lawsuit against Heard last summer, with the jury finding that she had intentionally defamed him in a 2018 op-ed about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse.
Johnny Depp arrives on the red carpet for opening night of the Cannes Film Festival. https://t.co/IN21RkHFtq pic.twitter.com/KYiicyJ0M8
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 16, 2023
However, Depp faced setbacks in his legal battles. In 2020, he lost a libel case against The Sun, with the court ruling that the publication’s use of the term “wife beater” to describe him was largely true. Despite these legal challenges, Depp vehemently denies the allegations against him.
While Depp was embraced by fans at Cannes, critics and supporters of Heard launched a social media campaign with #CannesYouNot, condemning the festival for honoring “abusers.” This backlash is part of wider criticisms against the festival and the French film industry, accusing them of being lenient towards sexual offenders like Roman Polanski and Christophe Ruggia.
Thierry Fremaux, the festival’s director, addressed the criticism in a press conference, defending Depp’s participation and emphasizing the importance of free speech and acting within legal boundaries. He expressed his disinterest in the Depp vs. Heard trial, focusing on Depp as an actor rather than the legal details.
Despite the mixed reactions, Depp’s presence at Cannes and his recent deal with Dior’s men’s fragrance line indicate continued support for him. His return to the spotlight has reignited debates about his personal life and the industry’s responsibility in addressing abuse allegations.
As the Cannes festival unfolds, discussions around Jeanne du Barry and Depp’s performance will continue to raise questions about separating art from the personal lives of actors and how the industry deals with misconduct allegations.
