Johnny Depp’s and Maïwenn’s Jeanne du Barry rakes up controversy ahead of the Cannes Film Festival 2023

The 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place this year from May 16 to May 27, 2023. Johnny Depp is no stranger to controversy as is evident from the widely publicized court proceedings with his ex-wife Amber Heard, which he won and was awarded $10 million in damages.

Johnny won on three counts, while Amber won on one count with $2 million. Even Maïwenn, the popular French actress and now director, has been accused of assault by a high-profile French political journalist, Edwy Plenel.

The film’s plot is about Jeanne, who is a young courtesan from the working class who yearns for culture and pleasure. She utilizes her charm to ascend the social ladder to eventually seduce King Louis XV, who regains his zest for life through Jeanne.

Jeanne du Barry is going to be the opening film at this year’s Cannes. This has led to a number of complaints over assigning the movie this time slot, but Thierry Frémaux, the Festival’s Director and renowned French film critic has defended his choice.

Thierry said in a statement to Variety magazine that Johnny Depp hasn’t been banned from acting altogether and the actor actually won the legal case so the festival will stand by its opening film choice. He clarified, “It was not a controversial choice. If Johnny Depp had been banned from working it would have been different, but that’s not the case. We only know one thing, it’s the justice system and I think he won the legal case.”

Thierry Frémaux also added praisefully that it is a beautiful film, “a success” and that “Johnny Depp is magnificent in it.”