Amber Heard vs Johnny Depp Round 2: Cannes Film Festival Kicks off Another Battle of the Fans

This year, the Cannes Film Festival made the controversial decision to open the event with a film by actor Johnny

Johnny Depp Amber Heard Cannes

This year, the Cannes Film Festival made the controversial decision to open the event with a film by actor Johnny Depp. Depp was recently embroiled in a nasty court battle against his ex Amber Heard.

Both alleged domestic abuse from the other, and the trial divided the world into two camps.

The Cannes’ controversial choice to front Depp has sparked another round of head-to-heads between fans of both stars, bringing their contentious relationship back to the forefront of public discourse.

Depp stars as French king Louis XV in Jeanne du Barry from French director Maiwenn.

Cannes director Thierry Fremaux has responded to questions about why he chose Depp’s film, dismissing any connection to the recent drama.

Johnny Depp Amber Heard Cannes

The Hollywood Reporter explains his thoughts on the matter; “‘I don’t know about the image of Johnny Depp in the U.S.,’ said Fremaux, speaking to the press on Monday. ‘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 act within a legal framework. If Johnny Depp had been banned from acting in a film, or the film was banned we wouldn’t be here talking about it…this [controversy] came up once the film was announced at Cannes.’

Fremaux added he had no interest in Depp’s private life or legal wranglings.

‘I’m the last person to be able to discuss all this. If there’s one person in this world who didn’t find the least interest in this very publicized trial [against Heard], it’s me. I don’t know what it’s about. I care about Johnny Depp as an actor.’”

Fremaux also roundly dismissed a statement made by Portrait of a Lady on Fire star Adele Haenel in an open letter that she published last week.

In the statement, Haenel accused the Cannes Film Festival of “defending rapists” because the festival has celebrated filmmakers accused of sexual misconduct or abuse. Haenel cited Roman Polanski  and frequent Cannes guest Gerard Depardieu. Fremaux called the statement “radical” and “false.”

THR reports, “’She didn’t think that when she came to Cannes unless she suffered from a crazy dissonance,’ Fremaux said, adding that was ‘normal’ for people to use Cannes to discuss political and social issues ‘because we give them a platform.’ He added that he found much of the media debate around the issue disingenuous.

‘If you thought that this is a festival for rapists, you wouldn’t be here listening to me, you would not be complaining that you can’t get tickets to get into screenings,’ he noted.”

Ever since Depp was spotted smiling and enjoying the festival, fans of Amber Heard have been furious.

Johnny Depp Amber Heard Cannes

Heard recently was rumored to be leaving Hollywood behind (for now) to enjoy peace and solitude in Europe for awhile, away from the furor of the United States.

Those who support Heard felt like Depp’s elevation was a slap in the face to both Heard and domestic violence victims everywhere.

Those who support Depp believe that it was a moment of vindication for someone who suffered from domestic violence himself.

Either way, it’s clear that both fan bases are far from through with the drama and contentions between the former couple.

 

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