The Depp v Heard defamation trial in the US will forever be infamous for turning domestic abuse testimony into a showbiz spectacle. Domestic violence was given the full Hollywood makeover: minimised, trivialised and sensationalised for the audience. The wisdom of allowing cameras into the courtroom has confounded and troubled many for years, but we are here now, as it has long been legal in the US. We’ve watched a woman give her testimony about allegations of sexual abuse – with no special measures whatsoever.
Amber Heard gave her testimony only a few feet from her alleged abuser, directly facing him and his legal team. We then witnessed the “meme-ification” of that testimony as influencers mocked and ridiculed Heard for laughs and for clicks. Whatever you think of Heard or her testimony, any right-thinking person should be disturbed by the implications of her treatment both in and out of the courtroom for anyone considering reporting sexual violence.
Nearly a year since the conclusion of the Depp v Heard defamation in the US trial hit our screens, the headlines and every one of our social media platforms like a truckload of manure – we’re still clearing through the muck. As we know, Depp sued the London-based tabloid newspaper The Sun earlier in 2020 in England for repeating substantially similar allegations made by Heard, but he lost that case, with the judge finding that 12 out of 14 of Heard’s allegations were substantially true.
The first instalment of the Channel 4 documentary Depp v Heard aired last night. The three-part series, directed by Emma Cooper, offers no new commentary. Its impact is in its simplicity. For the first time, sections of Depp and Heard’s testimonies are shown side by side, cut with recordings from some of the most influential social media personalities during the trial. It’s effective.
Social media overwhelmed us with misinformation about the trial and its defendants. The documentary shows us how a lack of media literacy and critical thinking played their part in the online discourse around Depp v Heard.
The trial was about who defamed who and, ultimately, the jury found that both parties were guilty to a lesser and greater extent. Still, why let a little technicality like fact get in the way of spin? In the public sphere, the trial became about the attribution of innocence and guilt to Depp and Heard. Heard was vilified and Depp martyrised: the binarization of trial by Tik Tok. Justice was served – with a side of cruelty.
The jury was not sequestered for the duration of the trial. They were requested not to read anything about the trial online or be influenced by anything beyond the walls of the courtroom but how realistic was that given the blanket coverage of the case? Even on their journey to and from the courtroom it wouldn’t have been possible to miss Depp’s legion of fans who’d taken up residence outside to scream messages of love and support at the actor.
The same fans found the energy to chant “Amber Turd!” at Heard during her entry and exit from the building, as we are shown in the Channel 4 documentary. From the footage, we can see that the fans are having the time of their lives. They get to see their idol in the flesh and bully his ex-wife all in the same half hour. The fans laugh while they shout abuse at Heard; bullying a stranger for sh*ts and giggles must be so much fun.
In the documentary, we also see footage of a men’s rights activist proudly displaying his spectator wristband that allows him into the courtroom, filming himself while explaining that mobile phones and recording are strictly forbidden – evidence that the court rules weren’t always obeyed.
Public attitudes to domestic violence were interrogated as thoroughly as the defendants during the trial. There’s clear evidence that both Depp and Heard were abusive during their relationship. Depp makes light of a recording that shows him behaving in an aggressive and intimidating manner in the kitchen. One social media commentator states “slamming, smashing and breaking things is legally defined as abuse.” Not when it’s Johnny Depp, it seems. When asked whether his behaviour is aggressive, Depp answers “I did assault a couple of cabinets”. Johnny’s only ever having fun.
Channel 4’s documentary shows that while the defamation trial may not have got to the truth of Depp and Heard’s relationship, it did expose the truth of our broader attitudes to domestic violence – and we should be appalled.
