CannesYouNot: Outrage Grows Over Johnny Depp's New Film Premiere

Johnny Depp Defends His Role in "Jeanne du Barry" Amid Criticism and Backlash
CannesYouNot: Outrage Grows Over Johnny Depp's New Film Premiere

Will Johnny Depp receive a warm welcome at Cannes, or will audiences shun him? Despite his numerous scandals, the controversial actor is set to debut his first leading role in three years in the costume drama "Jeanne du Barry." While Depp has made headlines for his legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard, he has continued to be celebrated at European film festivals. Cannes has faced criticism for offering Depp a platform given Heard's accusations of abuse, but festival chief Thierry Fremaux defended the decision as a matter of free expression.

During a press conference on Monday, Thierry Fremaux, the chief of Cannes Film Festival, responded to questions about the controversial presence of Johnny Depp in this year's festival, saying that he believes in the freedom of thinking and speech within a legal framework. He added that if Depp had been banned from acting or the movie itself had been banned, then they wouldn't be talking about it. Despite his scandals, Depp is seeking backers for his upcoming biopic of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, and if he secures financing, he plans to start filming in Budapest this fall. Fremaux appears to have separated Depp's art from his personal issues, saying that he didn't find any interest in Depp's trial and that he cares about him as an actor.

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Cannes isn't the only one showing support for Johnny Depp. In 2019, he was honored with a career achievement award at the Deauville American Film Festival, presented by Catherine Deneuve, who praised his ability to transform himself for each role. The following year, Depp was greeted like a rockstar by fans at Deauville when he presented "City of Lies" and spoke candidly with French journalists. Despite losing his libel case against The Sun in 2020, Depp continued to be celebrated in Europe throughout 2021, with tributes at Karlovy Vary and San Sebastian festivals. While some feminist organizations were outraged by the tributes, local press outlets barely mentioned Depp's legal troubles. The artistic director of the Deauville festival defended their decision to include Depp, stating that they would not invite a convicted person but would not act as a judge in the absence of a conviction.

Perhaps even more significant than any festival awards, is the fact that despite his controversies, Dior has kept Johnny Depp as its brand ambassador for the global ad campaign of his Sauvage fragrance since 2015, and has just renewed his contract for a massive $20 million deal. The luxury fashion house's campaign portrays Depp as a rebellious character, shown playing an electric guitar in the middle of the desert.

According to Eric Marti, the head of Comscore France, French audiences have always had a soft spot for Depp. This could be due to the fact that he is considered half-French, having lived in the country for many years with his ex-partner Vanessa Paradis, a famous French actor and singer with whom he has two children, including Lily-Rose Depp. Additionally, Depp starred opposite Charlotte Gainsbourg in a brief but iconic scene in the 2004 film "Ils se marierent et eurent beaucoup d'enfants."

According to Eric Marti, head of Comscore France, Johnny Depp's enduring popularity in France can be attributed to the success of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, as well as his other work, such as "Alice Through the Looking Glass," which performed well despite being a bomb. However, the upcoming release of "Jeanne du Barry" will be a test of his continued popularity in the country, given that it's his first movie since the trial is over. The film, which has a budget of around $22 million, was financed by French indies, including production house Why Not, sales outfit Goodfellas, and French distribution banner Le Pacte, as well as Netflix, French pubcaster France Televisions, and Red Sea Film Foundation.

Sources close to the production have revealed that filming of "Jeanne du Barry" was chaotic due to tensions and regular fights between Depp and director Maiwenn. Despite this, Depp is expected to turn up at the world premiere and press conference of the film in Cannes, after spending a few days in Budapest to prepare for the shoot of his movie "Modi." While Depp was conspicuously absent from the press junket organized at the Versaille Palace ahead of Cannes, he was in Paris, where he resided at the Bristol Hotel and even attended a screening of "Donnie Brasco" with Al Pacino at the Pantheon theater, a venue owned by "Jeanne du Barry's" producer Pascal Caucheteux.

Despite not giving any interviews about “Jeanne du Barry,” Johnny Depp was quoted in the press kit stating that he prepared for the role with the assistance of two biographies on Louis XV and worked with a coach to improve his French language skills. Depp also acknowledged that there were some tensions between him and director Maiwenn over some of his suggestions for filming, but he insisted that she at least film one take of his ideas, even if they didn't make the final cut.

Le Pacte is planning to give the movie a wide release on May 16, premiering on 640 screens on the same day as its world premiere in Cannes. While French fans are likely to turn out in droves to see Depp walk the red carpet, not everyone is pleased with his return to the spotlight. Journalist, activist, and close friend of Heard, Eve Barlow, launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #CannesYouNot, calling out the film festival for “celebrating abusers for 76 years.” On Instagram, she shared a photo from one of Depp's libel trials, showing a hollow-eyed Depp, hunched over with his glamorous on-screen persona a distant memory.

CannesYouNot: Outrage Grows Over Johnny Depp's New Film Premiere

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