Johnny Depp defends Dior advert accused of being racially insensitive

The actor faced a backlash on social media after claims the promotional video for Sauvage was offensive to Native Americans.

Johnny Depp Defends His Latest Dior Ad for Sauvage cologne after the video was accused of being racially insensitive to Native Americans.

The Hollywood star said the Dior promotion was made with "great love and respect for indigenous people" - and he rejected claims it amounted to cultural appropriation.

Critics argued the name of the cologne can be translated to "savage" in French - a derogatory term used to describe indigenous Americans.

The clip - which was deleted hours after it was posted on social media last month - features a Native American man performing a dance, while the Pirates Of The Caribbean star plays a guitar and lights a fire in the US desert.

While promoting the £74 product, Depp - the long-time face of the brand - was seen playing a riff by musician Link Wray, who was part of the Native American Shawnee tribe.

The actor says there was "never any dishonourable intent" to cause offence, but added that work was now being done with those who were offended to find a resolution.

“Sauvage” was pulled on Aug. 30 after the commercial was deemed offensive to Native Americans, according to a report published Sunday by The Hollywood Reporter.

Depp defended the film saying the small clip of the full project wasn’t reflective of the whole ad “We Are The Land.”

“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,” Depp said.

“There was never, and how could there be or how would there be, any dishonorable [intent],” he added. “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.”

The Dior ad immediately faced criticism after debuting. The feature showed Depp wandering through a desert surrounded by Native Americans in traditional clothing. Depp admitted that the film was made with the direction of the Comanche Nation and other organizations, THR reported.

“I can assure you that no one has any reason to go out to try to exploit,” Depp said. “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.”