Brie Larson was caught off-guard when asked if she’ll watch the controversial Johnny Depp opening-night film at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
Brie Larson wearing a Chanel Resort 2024 look with a sequin-and-rhinestone embellished tunic over a gold-and-beige layer at the opening ceremony of the 76th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 16, 2023 (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
The 33-year-old actress serves as one of the jurors at this year’s prestigious film festival, which kicks off with the historical drama Jeanne du Barry.
It became a major talking point leading up to the festival because of the involvement of Johnny Depp, whose part in the film is his first leading role in three years since his highly publicized legal drama with ex-wife Amber Heard.
Festival first-timer Brie Larson was asked if she’d attend the world premiere, which she isn’t required to do as a juror as Jeanne du Barry is playing out of competition.
Brie Larson attending the jury photocall in a Chanel Spring 2023 Haute Couture floral-printed jumpsuit during the 76th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 16, 2023 (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
“You’re asking me that?” the Nissan spokesperson replied during the press conference. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand the correlation or why me specifically.”
She continued, “You’ll see I guess, if I will see it. And I don’t know how I’ll feel about it if I do.”
Jeanne du Barry is an exploration of the complicated relationship between King Louis XV of France (played by Johnny Depp) and his lover, Jeanne du Barry (played by actress and filmmaker Maïwenn Le Besco).
Brie Larson in a Chanel Pre-Fall 2023 look with festival chief Thierry Frémaux at the jury dinner ahead of the 76th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 15, 2023 (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
Festival chief Thierry Frémaux previously spoke in a press conference in defense of the screening of the film: “I don’t know about the image of Johnny Depp in the US. 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.”
Brie Larson shows off her feet in black sandals featuring an almond toe and a curved toe strap (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Meanwhile, Larson has been a staunch advocate of the #MeToo movement and the victims of sexual assault. She even sat on the advisory board of the advocacy group Time’s Up.
76th Cannes Film Festival juror and outspoken #MeToo movement advocate Brie Larson is unsure whether she’ll watch Jeanne du Barry because of Johnny Depp’s involvement in it (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
“To live life as a woman is to live life on the defense,” she previously said in 2017 at the height of the movement and in the wake of Harvey Weinstein’s fall from grace.
Larson continued, “As always, I stand with the brave survivors of sexual assault and harassment. It’s not your fault. I believe you.”
Atiq Rahimi, Damian Szifron, Brie Larson, and Julia Ducournau attend the jury photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 16, 2023, in Cannes, France (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
As Brie Larson famously portrayed Captain Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she was also asked whether big blockbusters like superhero movies and smaller-scale art films should exist in the same festival.
Brie Larson celebrating during opening night of the 76th Cannes Film Festival (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
“I only know my perspective. I’ve never curated a film festival before,” Larson replied. “I take the same level of preparation and care for everything, whatever the budget. A film is a film.”
The Oscar winner added, “This is my first time here. I’m sure [the movies] will have a wide range in scope, and that’s what makes this festival so special.”