12 h 21 dez 2021 ano - THE SCOTSMAN The question of what to do with the work of controversial artists

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THE SCOTSMAN

The question of what to do with the work of controversial artists

by Alastair Stewart

Last Tuesday evening, my wife and I were sitting watching Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

Inevitably our conversations turned to Johnny Depp in the titular role.

Last year the London libel courts ruled that The Sun was justified in describing Depp as a "wife beater".

Warner Bros subsequently asked the A-list actor to "resign" from the third Happy Potter spin-off film due out next year.

After pausing the movie and recapping this, we talked about the acting chops of Mads Mikkelsen, who will replace Depp.
And well, - we continued watching. We did not discuss it again. We just played the movie.

This stuck in my mind. Depp's reputation is irreparable, and Hollywood has reputedly boycotted him.

And yet, most of us are disconnected or unwilling to confront this reality regarding famous stars and their famous movies. Depp's work is widely available and does not come with a warning that it contains a performance by a man the High Court accepted was a perpetrator of violence against women.

Perhaps something like "some viewers may find this triggering or upsetting if you have been affected by these issues" would be apt.
If you guffawed, remember that pictures like Gone With The Wind now come with a disclaimer warning it "denies the horrors of slavery".

Many soap operas and dramas include links to support services when dealing with controversial or disturbing topics like sexual assault.

When do pop culture consumers become responsible for cutting off the work of despicable or convicted artists?

The advisory and the punitive are inherently linked. People should be aware, remember, and make a value and economic judgement. Do you want to line this man's pockets?

Look at the latest reaction on social media to Depp's replacement, and his fans are in revolt. Legions are dedicated to his 'rightful' return to the series, espousing a knee-jerk hatred for Mikkelson and an uncompromising belief that Amber Heard is the devil.

Ethically it seems a remarkably neglected consequence of the #MeToo movement. We seem to search out opportunities to cancel celebrities, writers, comedians and everyone else.

For some reason, we turn a blind eye to their existing work, not just forthcoming projects.
Why is it so hard to boycott entertainment on principle? Awards upon awards seem to serve as kevlar.

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