Controversy has followed the HBO production for several months, particularly after a Rolling Stone article, based on 13 cast and crew members, alleged that the “extreme” show was a “rape fantasy”.
A source told the publication, “It was like sexual harassment porn.” They’re just trying to see how much of a response they can get.
Early reviews of the show, which currently holds a 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, certainly do little to refute these reports. A review from the Daily Beast said, “Depp can almost never be filmed in anything other than a parodyly skimpy outfit in this awful crappy show. […] The vulgarity of the show (intentional and not) would be one thing, but it’s the disgusting, self-absorbed presentation of rape culture that gives goosebumps.”
Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival about her character, Lily-Rose said, “I think there is something about Jocelyn that she is a born and bred artist.”
“I think this applies to every aspect of her life, not just her professional life. I think the way she dresses, for example, is she trying to tell you something all the time? doing or saying something to people that she is around or express herself in some way.”
The 23-year-old added, “I also think that the bareness of the character at times physically mirrors the bareness that we get to see emotionally.”
Sam, who has faced a lot of criticism for the nudity in his show Excitement First said, “It’s funny, I think sometimes things that could be revolutionary are taken too far.”
“I think we live in a very sexist world,” he continued. “We see it in pop music and how it reflects the underbelly of the internet in some ways. I think with this show and working with Lily, we had a lot of discussions about what she is as a person. Who is in form, who is Jocelyn as a person, and what is she feeling, what is she doing, who is she playing with.
“Two things happen when you have a character that has such a strong sense of self and such a strong sexual drive – you underestimate her because you’re not quite sure why she’s doing it, she’s doing it. Why is it worn … And at the same time, it is also what attracts people, it is what attracts an audience, it is what attracts an imagination,” he argued. “I think that’s absolutely true of what almost every pop star is doing these days.”
You can read more about what allegedly happened behind the scenes here Sculpture Here.