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Amber Heardsupporters are speaking out against theCannes Film Festivalfor opening with a newJohnny Deppmovie.
The annual French festivalbegins Tuesday with the premiereofJeanne Du Barry, in which Depp, 59, plays King Louis XV opposite director Maïwenn. The actor is expected to attend the red carpet portion before the screening, plus a press conference about the film on Wednesday morning.
On social media, several pro-Heard fan accounts are using the hashtag #CannesYouNot to protest online about Depp’s inclusion in the major industry event.
Earlier this week, journalist Eve Barlowposteda message using the hashtag and added, “Cannes seem proud of their history supporting rapists and abusers,” and an infographic that read, “If you support Cannes, you support predators” and “Why does Cannes platform predators?“Heard’s sister Whitney"liked” the post on Instagram.
Amber Heard.Neilson Barnard/Getty
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The person behind the Twitter page @LeaveHeardAlone, identified as Rebecca,spoke toVarietyabout why they are being outspoken online about Cannes.
Rebecca said, “The Depp v. Heard trial became the vehicle through which the backlash against the #MeToo movement went viral. Hollywood industries seem to be riding that backlash to return to the status quo. To open your festival with Johnny Depp? To be frank, it feels like a slap in the face.”
On Monday, Cannes Film Festival’s chief Thierry Fremaux addressed the decision to have Depp’s movie open the festival. He told reporters,according toVariety, “I don’t know about the image of Johnny Depp in the U.S. To tell you the truth, in my life, I only have one rule, it’s the freedom of thinking and the freedom of speech and acting within a legal framework.”
Johnny Depp in October.Noam Galai/Getty
“If Johnny Depp had been banned from acting in a film or the film was banned, we wouldn’t be here talking about it. So we saw Maïwenn’s film and it could have been in competition. She would have been the eighth female director,” said Fremaux. “This [controversy] came up once the film was announced at Cannes because everybody knew Johnny had made a film in France … I don’t know why she chose him but it’s a question you should ask Maïwenn.”
“As for the rest, I’m the last person to be able to discuss all this,” he added. “If there’s one person in this world who didn’t find the least interest in this very publicized trial, it’s me. I don’t know what it’s about. I also care about Johnny Depp as an actor.”
In November, more than 140 organizations and individuals focused on women’s rights and domestic violencesigned an open letter in supportof Heard, 37, against “vilification,” “ongoing online harassment"and “unprecedented” vitriol. They warned that the June 1 verdict in the Virginia defamation trial could have “damaging consequences” for other survivors coming forward.
Rod Lamkey/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty
Depp and Heard reached a settlementin December; she’ll pay him $1 million that he said will be donated to charity. Heard explained in a lengthystatementat the time: “I have made no admission. This is not an act of concession. There are no restrictions or gags with respect to my voice moving forward.”
Depp’s lawyers added in their own statement after the settlement news: “We are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter for Mr. Depp, who made clear throughout this process that his priority was about bringing the truth to light.”
Fans of Depp have launched social media campaigns against Heard as well. For example, an onlinepetition requesting she be removedfrom the upcomingAquaman and the Lost Kingdomhas gained over 4.5 million signatures. She will return as Mera in the sequel out in December and wasfeatured in a teaser trailer showcased at CinemaConlast month.
source: people.com
