Weighing in on the Sauvage ad that was met with angry protests from Native American activists and actors, the 'City of Lies' actor stresses that the promo was not made with any dishonorable intent.

• Sep 10, 2019

AceShowbiz - Johnny Depp has defended his new Dior perfume campaign following angry protests from Native Americans.

The promotional film for the French luxury brand's Sauvage perfume features Depp playing the guitar in the desert while his Native American co-star Canku One Star of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe performs a warrior dance in a traditional headdress and clothing.

However, it was pulled shortly after teasers debuted on 30 August after several leading Native American activists and actors responded angrily, but Johnny says the advert was meant to respect indigenous culture.

"A teaser obviously is a very concentrated version of images and there were objections to the teaser of the small film. The film has never been seen," he told The Hollywood Reporter at the Deauville American Film Festival in France.

"There was never - and how could there be or how would there be - any dishonorable (intent). The film was made with a great respect for the indigenous people not just of North America but all over the world. It's a pity that people jumped the gun and made these objections. However, their objections are their objections."

Pledging to work with those raising objections to release a revised full version of the advert, he added: "I can assure you that no one has any reason to go out to try to exploit. It was a film made out of great respect and with great respect and love for the Native American peoples to bring light to them."

"They haven't had the greatest amount of help out of the United States government. The idea is as pure as it ever was, so we will come to an agreement so that everyone is happy."

The backlash against the film has even included one of its stars, Tanaya Beatty, a Canadian actress of Da'Naxda'xw Nation descent, who said she felt indigenous culture had been "disrespected" during filming and encouraged Johnny to donate to Native American charities.