Last Saturday, the Forty Acres hosted mega-movie star Johnny Depp, who stopped by to promote his latest film, “The Rum Diary,” during the Austin Film Festival. Radio-television-film and journalism students had the opportunity to get tickets to the free screening at the Student Activity Center. Some students waited in line for hours just to get a seat; The Daily Texan spoke to one student who had waited since 8 a.m. for the 6:30 p.m. showing. The Texan also noted that more than 400 students and faculty ended up attending the screening.
“The Rum Diary,” for which Depp was both producer and star, is based on a novel of the same name by journalist Hunter S. Thompson. After the movie was over, Depp and the director of the film, Bruce Robinson, appeared for a Q&A session. Depp regarded Austin warmly, and even made jokes with students, appearing very relaxed and down-to-earth.
On the way out, Johnny responded to a line of screaming fans by giving autographs, hugs and even a kiss on the head for one lucky girl — not what one might expect from an award-winning actor. He made an appearance at Spider House just off-campus afterwards in a private booth.
Needless to say, my Facebook newsfeed was blown up that night with blurry cell-phone pictures and sighting statuses. Thanks to RTF sophomore Zack Garcia, who waited in line for three hours to get a seat in the second row, getting these great photos.