Speaking to the global press during a San Sebastian press conference for his latest directorial outing, “Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness,” Johnny Depp reflected on the nearly three decades since his last feature outing, 1997’s much-maligned “The Brave.”
Depp was in a reflective mood, and most of his answers were framed in a historical context, calling his recent experience “infinitely more positive” than the one he went through helming “The Brave,” a film in which he also acted and which was dead on arrival with critics and audience when it was released more than a quarter-century ago.
“Modi” unspools over 72 frantic hours in the life of bohemian artist Amedeo Modigliani (Riccardo Scamarcio), popularly known as Modi, as he navigates through a war-torn Paris and the country’s vibrant art scene in 1916. Hiding from the police after a confrontation in a bougie restaurant, Modi mulls over the possible end of his career and life in the City of Light. After receiving advice from his art dealer and friend, Leopold Zborowski (Stephen Graham), Modi risks everything for a meeting with American collector Maurice Gangnat (Al Pacino), who could transform him from starving artist to global megastar with a word.
As a project, “Modi” has been around for decades, shepherded by Academy Award-winning actor Pacino, who hand-picked Depp to direct. It’s produced by Barry Navidi and Depp’s U.K.-based production label IN.2.
The review embargo for “Modi” was lifted just ahead of today’s press conference, and the few early reactions that have been published so far have been largely positive, expressing surprise at how much fun the writers had watching the film. It’s early, but so far, things look much brighter than Depp’s 1997 directorial feature debut “The Brave.”
“Modi” is one of Depp’s first projects since his 2022 court battle with ex-wife Amber Heard, in which he sued her for defamation after she accused him of domestic abuse. Depp ultimately won the case, though the controversy caused by it has impacted his career. He made his festival comeback in Cannes last year with a starring role in Maïwenn’s “Jeanne du Barry,” but has yet to truly rebound in Hollywood.
In an interview with Variety, “Modi” producer Navidi said it’s “just a matter of time” before Depp is fully embraced by the industry again. “This movie perhaps is going to help and, at the same time, open doors,” Navidi said. “I know that his popularity is one thing in Hollywood — but the masses, the world, they love him.”
Depp has enjoyed a strong relationship with San Sebastian over the past several years. He won a jury award as a producer for “Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan” in 2020, launched IN.2 here in 2021 and received the Donostia career achievement award in 2021. “Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness” will world premiere on Tuesday evening before screening twice more at this year’s festival.
More to come…
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