Johnny Depp isn't actually 'innocent', despite Cannes Film Festival President's claim

TW: mentions of domestic abuse, violence

On Tuesday, May 16, the Cannes Film Festival opened its doors. The stars have paraded on the red carpet, including actors Johnny Depp and Maïwenn, for the film Jeanne du Barry, directed by the French actress. The presence of the two has been denounced many times by Internet users and particularly in a tribune published in French magazine Libération, signed by a collective of actors and actresses.

2022 marked the end of the legal battle between ex-spouses Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. After divorcing in 2017, the two actors accused each other of domestic violence and defamation. One year after a highly publicized trial, it is clear that the two protagonists have not suffered from the same backlash. The Aquaman actress has suffered a big hit to her Hollywood career, while Lily Rose Depp's father is back in the acting world.

Johnny Depp's controversial presence at the Cannes Film Festival

Although the Cannes Festival marks Depp's first public appearance since his trial with his ex-wife, Heard, it is far from delighting everyone. The actor, accused of domestic violence, was attacked in a tribune signed by a collective of actresses and actors:

By rolling out the red carpet to men and women who assault, the festival sends the message that in our country we can continue to exercise violence with impunity, that violence is acceptable in places of creation.

Read more:Amber Heard speaks out after Johnny Depp’s first TikTok

Johnny Deep gets a 7-minute standing ovation

Despite the controversy surrounding his presence, Depp has indeed walked up the red carpet and received a hearty welcome from fans... Indeed, in a video shared on Variety's official Twitter account, we can see the actor is moved, with tears in his eyes. Because he had just received a 7-minute-long standing ovation, following the screening of the film Jeanne du Barry.

While he has just landed a $20 million contract with Dior, Depp is headlining the film Jeanne du Barry, alongside Maïwenn, who admitted this week she violently attacked a journalist. This appears to be a triumphant come-back for the actor, but it has been criticized by many, who do not understand how two violent people get to be celebrated and applauded.

Jean Labadie, Cannes Film Festival's president, spoke to France Inter about the controversy.

When the choice was made by Maïwenn to take Johnny Depp, it's true that we followed the trial with a little concern. And then finally, we must not forget that he was judged, and that he was found innocent. So I do not know why there is still this controversy. I understand the accusation but once he is judged and innocent, I think we can stop talking about this controversy. Now it's time for the movie!

Read more:Johnny Depp's lawyers have labelled Amber Heard as a 'compulsive liar and abuser'

The truth about the Depp v. Heard verdict

So, has Depp been cleared? Not really. It should be noted that there was not one, but two trials. The first one took place in 2020. The actor filed a complaint for defamation against The Sun following an article calling him a 'wife beater'. However, his accusation was rejected by the court, which found that the violence mentioned by Heard was 'substantially true' and the vast majority of alleged assaults have been proven.

The second trial, in 2022, did not clear Depp either. He was demanding $50 million from his ex-wife after she mentioned domestic violence in the press again. So, she in turn asked for $100 million, for 'physical and sexual constant violence' and for conducting an online harassment campaign to discredit her.

The jurors gave their ruling and declared both parties guilty of defamation: $10 million in damages had to be paid by Heard to her ex, and $2 million by Depp. Finally, after having appealed each on their side and given up, they managed to find an agreement: Heard had to pay $1 million to her ex-husband, to finally put this story behind them.

This article has been translated from Oh!MyMag FR.

Read more:Johnny Depp debuts his music career after defamation trial

Sources used:

The Sun: On behalf of all domestic abuse survivors we can confirm Johnny Depp IS a wife beater

Independent: Johnny Depp wins defamation case against Amber Heard as she wins one part of countersuit