Key Takeaways:
– After a 27-year hiatus, Johnny Depp returns to the directorial helm in the forthcoming movie, Modì – Three Days on the Wing of Madness.
– Al Pacino designed this project and involved Depp during their filming of Donnie Brasco in 1997.
– Amid a legal battle with Amber Heard, Depp seized the opportunity to direct, his last directorial experience being in 1997.
– Modì producers praised Depp for his artistic sensibility and skill in directing the biographical film.
– The film is set to be premiered at the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival on September 24, 2024.
A Directorial Comeback After 27 Years
Notable actor Johnny Depp’s filmography spans over three decades. Still, he is making a pivotal shift back to the director’s seat after 27 years in the upcoming film, Modì – Three Days on the Wing of Madness. His colleague and friend Al Pacino first approached Depp in 1997 with this promising project during their work on Donnie Brasco. However, it took over two decades and an unpredictable series of events for this project to actualize.
Time of Uncertainty Turns Into Opportunity
When Depp was amidst a public legal battle with Amber Heard, which saw him receive mixed public support and career setbacks, including dismissal from the Disney film Pirates of the Caribbean, Depp’s career took an unexpected turn. Amid the turbulence, Pacino offered him the chance to direct Modì, surprising and humbling Depp. Stephen Deuters, CEO of IN.2 Film, revealed in an interview with Variety that the actor-director was taken aback by the opportunity during a time when the industry appeared to be turning away from him.
Production Rolls and Depp Shines
Once filming commenced in Hungary, the gravity of Depp’s return to directing truly hit home. Despite the extended duration since his last directorial gig in the 1997 film The Brave, Depp exhibited his artistic prowess and dedication to the craft. He immersed himself entirely in the project, impressing his contemporaries.
Barry Navidi, Modì’s co-producer, commended Depp’s exceptional skills as a director, noting his sensitivity and artistic sensibility. Navidi expressed his awe at the artist’s around-the-clock work ethic and praised Pacino’s keen eye for choosing Depp as the right director to materialize the intricate story of Modigliani.
Stellar Lineup and Synopsis of Modì
Modì boasts a formidable lineup, including lead actor Riccardo Scamarcio, Stephen Graham, Al Pacino, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery, Ryan McParland, and Luisa Ranieri. According to Variety, the plot provides viewers with an intimate exploration of bohemian artist Amedeo Modigliani’s life over seventy-two turbulent hours in war-torn Paris during 1916.
Awaiting the Premier
The anticipation is mounting for Modì, which is scheduled to premiere at the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival on September 24, 2024. With a remarkable cast and an industry giant at the helm, this movie is undoubtedly earmarked as a potential blockbuster and an artistically rich cinematic experience. As viewers, we can only wait eagerly to witness the magic of Depp’s directorial interpretation of Amedeo Modigliani’s exciting journey.
