The French are nonetheless enamored with Johnny Depp.
The embattled actor, who hasn’t appeared in public since his protracted 2022 authorized battle with ex-girlfriend Amber Heard, obtained an ecstatic seven-minute standing ovation on Tuesday evening on the premiere of Cannes Film Festival’s opening evening movie “Jeanne Du Barry.”
Depp held again tears as the group within the South of France erupted in extended applause for his efficiency because the King Louis XV. He waved to the viewers within the balcony and appeared bowled over by the response.
The movie’s director and star Maiwenn additionally broke out into tears as she briefly took the mic. “I want to share this moment with my lover, with my producer, with Le Pacte,” she stated. “It was a production that was difficult to finance … and I want to share this moment with all my team across the theater.”
Depp arrived to Cannes welcomed by 1000’s of supportive followers, who carried indicators exterior the Palais and trembled as they tried to the touch their idol. Many have been profitable in making contact with Depp, who labored the fan line exterior for 5 full minutes earlier than strolling the carpet.
“Jeanne du Barry” stars Maiwenn as Jeanne Vaubernier, a working class lady in 18th century France who rises the social ranks and turns into King Louis XV’s lover. Her working class roots makes her a social pariah within the king’s court docket. The supporting forged consists of Benjamin Lavernhe, Pierre Richard, Melvil Poupaud and Pascal Greggory.
Maiwenn’s newest courted controversy lengthy earlier than Cannes opening evening. The movie marks Depp’s most excessive profile performing function for the reason that conclusion of his 2022 authorized battle towards ex-wife Amber Heard. Although the jury sided in Depp’s favor, the actor stays on the sidelines of Hollywood because of abuse allegations that surfaced in the course of the trial. Festival director Thierry Fremaux spoke to press forward of opening evening and addressed Depp’s presence at Cannes.
“I don’t know about the image of Johnny Depp in the U.S,” Fremaux stated. “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. 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 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 Maiwenn,” Fremaux added. “As for the rest, 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, it’s me. I don’t know what it’s about. I also care about Johnny Depp as an actor.”
Maiwenn additionally discovered herself on the heart of controversy earlier than opening evening after she admitted to spitting on a French journalist. The director is now being sued by Edwy Plenel, the editor-in-chief of Mediapart journal, due to the incident. Maiwenn, who was sitting by herself at a restaurant, allegedly went to Plenel’s desk and grabbed him by the hair earlier than spitting in his face.
Asked on the French TV talkshow “Quotidien” if she might verify that she had assaulted Edwy Plenel, Maiwenn stated, “Do I confirm that I assaulted him? Yes.”
Plenel spoke solely to Variety forward of opening evening in regards to the incident, saying, “This aggression caused more stupor than anything else. She didn’t aggress me individually, but the symbol that I represent, as the founder and director of a journal, which in France, has been on the forefront of all the #MeToo revelations.”
Depp obtained thunderous applause from followers when he confirmed up on the pink carpet exterior the Palais. His followers have been ready with posters, shrines and extra as they screamed once they made his approach over to signal autographs.
“Jeanne du Barry” is in search of U.S. distribution on the pageant.