Amber Heard supporters launch #CannesYouNot campaign to protest Johnny Depp and his new film

Veteran actor Johnny Depp is all set to grace the red carpet for the premiere of “Jeanne du Barry” at the Cannes Film Festival. However, close friends of his ex-wife Amber Heard are determined to throw shade over his return to the prestigious event.

Depp, 59, plays Louis XV in the film, which is directed by and co-starring French actor-director Maven. Despite sources close to Depp reporting a flourishing career that includes a lucrative Dior deal worth more than $20 million and an upcoming directorial debut with Al Pacino, he finds himself embroiled in new controversy.

Journalist Eve Barlow, a close friend of Heard’s, took to Instagram to express her disdain for Depp’s appearance at the Cannes event over the weekend. She posted a photo of Depp with the caption, “Cannes is proud of its history supporting rapists and abusers. Also a change. #CannesYouNot.” Barlow also shared a photo that said, “‘Jean du Barry’ represents abusers at Cannes,” and included pictures of Depp with directors Woody Allen and Roman Polanski, both of whom have accused minors. Has faced allegations of sexual abuse.

While Allen has denied allegations of abusing their daughter Dylan, Polanski pleaded guilty to illicit sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977, but avoided serving a prison sentence in the US by fleeing to France. Barlow’s social media post, “Why Do Cannes Platform Predators?” Appealed last year.

A source close to Depp defended him against the allegations, saying, “There are other people in this post who are accused or convicted of child predators and rapists; he is not Johnny. He won his case and has nothing to do with him.” Not even charged.”

Barlow, who is currently living in Spain with Heard and their daughter, Onagh, further claimed that protest fliers were being distributed at cinemas showing “Jeanne du Barry”. The fliers reportedly read, “The film you are about to see – Maven’s ‘Jean Du Barry’ – contains scenes featuring Johnny Depp engaging in proven acts of violence against his ex-wife, Amber Heard.” Depp has consistently denied any violence against Heard, who accused him in an essay for The Washington Post.

Depp’s appearance at the Cannes premiere marks his first new film since testing with Heard in 2022. In the civil trial, a jury found Heard guilty of defaming Depp with her Washington Post column and awarded her $10 million in damages. However, the jury also determined that Depp’s attorney had defamed Heard by awarding her $2 million.

During the Cannes jury press conference, actress Brie Larson, who was a jury member at the ceremony, appeared uncomfortable when asked if she would attend Depp’s premiere. Larsen replied, “You’re asking me that? I’m sorry, I don’t understand the correlation or why me specifically.” Depp’s relationship to the controversy was questioned, given Larson’s involvement with the now-defunct Time’s Up organization and her advocacy for the #MeToo movement. Larson said, “You’ll see, I guess if I see it. And I don’t know how I’ll feel if I do.”

In response to Larson’s comments, Barlow tweeted, “Seriously, this is the power of Johnny Depp. No one will speak out because of this man’s walk in Hollywood. Amber stood alone.” Cannes director Thierry Frémaux defended the decision to open the festival with “Jeanne du Barry” and praised Depp’s performance, insisting that he paid no heed to the trial. Fremaux insisted, “If Johnny Depp had been banned from acting in a movie, or if the film had been banned, we wouldn’t be here talking about it.”

Depp, who last attended Cannes in 2011 for “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”, continues to work on various projects. In addition to her multimillion-dollar Dior deal, she recently signed another three-year contract with the French brand. Additionally, Depp is set to make his directorial debut with the film “Modi”, starring Al Pacino, and is set to tour with his band Hollywood Vampires. Despite the controversy surrounding his personal life, Depp remains focused on his career endeavors.

Read also: Did Amber Heard Buy a Villa in Spain for Over $1M Amid Her Exit from Hollywood After Losing a Defamation Case?