Amber Heard says trial took away her ‘skill to talk’ in uncommon touch upon Johnny Depp case

Amber Heard has claimed she now not has a voice in a brand new documentary exploring the concept of males utilizing defamation lawsuits to silence girls about abuse.

Following a six-week trial in Virginia in 2022, a jury discovered the Aquaman actor’s 2018 Washington Put up op-ed about home violence, although it didn’t title Depp, contained statements that have been false, defamatory, and made with malice.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star was awarded a complete of $15 million in damages, which was diminished to $10.35 million.

Heard’s personal defamation countersuit resulted in a $2 million award on one in all three claims.

She has since left Hollywood for the Spanish capital of Madrid and has reportedly modified her title to ‘totally combine’ herself into the neighborhood.

Final yr, she welcomed twins in a social media submit, which makes her a mom to a bit boy and lady, in addition to her four-year-old, Oonagh Paige.

Heard has now appeared within the new documentary Silenced, her first function movie cameo since 2023’s Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom.

Led by director Selina Miles and worldwide human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, it not too long ago premiered on the Sundance Movie Pageant.

Robinson performed a job in serving to Heard throughout a 2018 lawsuit filed by Depp in opposition to The Solar.

The paper ran a narrative criticising Depp’s casting in The Incredible Beasts by labelling accusations of home violence introduced by Heard. Depp sued the paper for libel.

“This isn’t about me,” Heard – who’s one in all a number of girls who’ve come ahead in Silenced – mentioned within the documentary.

“I’ve misplaced my skill to talk. I’m not right here to inform my story.

“I don’t wish to inform my story. Actually, I don’t wish to use my voice anymore. That’s the issue.”

Talking at the Selection Studio, Robinson talked about the ‘chilling impact’ defamation fits have had on girls.

“Within the post-#MeToo world, we noticed girls break the cultural silence, talking out publicly about gender-based violence,’ she mentioned.

“What we then noticed is their alleged perpetrator bringing a defamation declare saying, ‘This isn’t true, it’s defamatory, and I’m going to sue you for some huge cash’.’’

Robinson famous that she has really useful to her shoppers that ‘he can sue you, you simply then need to show it in court docket. However it’s very costly to take action, and it bankrupts most girls. The query I ask on this movie is, What does free speech imply should you can’t afford to defend it?’

Silenced is on the lookout for distribution rights on the time of writing.

If you’re experiencing home violence, please know that you’re not alone. You possibly can speak in confidence to the nationwide home violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, out there 24/7, or by way of live chat, out there 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.