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Amber Heard discusses new film 'In The Fire' as she makes first red carpet appearance since defamation trial: 'It's about force of love'

In the film, Amber Heard portrays a psychiatrist summoned to unravel the enigma of a troubled child who's considered the devil

BY SHREEJA DAS

PUBLISHED JUN 25, 2023

Amber Heard made her first major public appearance since the Johnny Depp trial (John Phillips/Getty Images)

SICILY, ITALY: Amber Heard, the 'Aquaman' star, exuded happiness as she attended the Taormina Film Festival in Italy on June 23. This marked her first significant event since losing the defamation trial against her ex-husband, Johnny Depp. The festival preceded the premiere of her new film, 'In The Fire'.

During the festival, Heard looked stunning, radiating joy as she engaged in conversations and laughter with friends, cast members, and crew from the supernatural thriller. Notably, the movie was completed months before her trial commenced in April 2022.

Amber Heard attends Vanity Fair and Saint Laurent Celebrate "Parasite" on February 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)

Coming back stronger

Captured in photographs, the actress wore an elegant white T-shirt and a matching wrap-around skirt, complemented by black heels. Her loose curls added to her overall look. The premiere of 'In the Fire' was scheduled for the night of June 24, where Heard was expected to grace the red carpet alongside her co-star Eduardo Noriego and the film's director, Conor Allyn.

Set in 1899 Colombia, the film 'In The Fire' centers around a compelling storyline. According to the festival's website, Amber Heard portrays a widowed American psychiatrist who journeys to a prosperous farm in Colombia. Her purpose is to investigate the case of a troubled child, as requested by the family.

Actor Johnny Depp (L) and Actress Amber Heard attend the 'Black Mass' premiere during the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival at The Elgin on September 14, 2015 in Toronto, Canada. — Actor Johnny Depp (L) and Actress Amber Heard attend the 'Black Mass' premiere during the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival at The Elgin on September 14, 2015 in Toronto, Canada (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

The synopsis reveals that the child's mother, distressed by the local priest's accusations of possession, seeks the psychiatrist's expertise. Upon the doctor's arrival, she uncovers the devastating news that the boy's mother has passed away. To her astonishment, even the father begins to question whether his child is indeed possessed.

'It's about the force of love'

Heard's appearance at the festival comes over a year after her defamation trial, where it was proven that she defamed Depp in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed about sexual violence. Depp, aged 60, sued Heard in 2019 for $50 million, alleging that she falsely accused him of abuse to secure a larger settlement in their divorce.

Actress Amber Heard (R) departs the Fairfax County Courthouse on June 1, 2022 in Fairfax, Virginia. The jury in the Depp vs. Heard case awarded actor Johnny Depp $15 million in his defamation case against Heard. — Actress Amber Heard (R) departs the Fairfax County Courthouse on June 1, 2022 in Fairfax, Virginia. The jury in the Depp vs. Heard case awarded actor Johnny Depp $15 million in his defamation case against Heard (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

When asked about 'In the Fire' at the festival, Heard expressed her enthusiasm to People, describing, “It's a beautiful movie about the almost supernatural effect and force of love." She elaborated on the boundaries love can transcend, and its creation stating, It is about the boundaries that love can cross and its creation, and really about the overwhelming power that love has”. Following the trial, Heard relocated to Spain with her two-year-old daughter. She spoke fondly about the movie, stating, I don't want to sound cheesy about it, but it's a movie about love."