Johnny Depp’s ‘Modi’ Biopic to Premiere at San Sebastian Film Festival

Johnny Depp‘s second directorial effort, “Modi — Three Days on the Wings of Madness,” will make its debut at the San Sebastian Film Festival next month.

The film, which stars Riccardo Scamarcio as famed Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani, is set to premiere in the festival’s out of competition strand. According to its synopsis, “Modi” is “a tale of art, love and rejection” that “follows a 72-hour whirlwind of chaotic events through the streets and bars of a Paris torn apart during World War I.” It also stars Stephen Graham, Al Pacino and Antonia Desplat.

“Modi” marks Depp’s return to directing after his 1997 debut with the critically panned “The Brave.” It is also one of the actor’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 in 2023 with a starring role in Maïwenn’s “Jeanne du Barry,” and though Variety reported on rumors that “Modi” may debut at Venice, clearly the film took a different route.

In a statement alongside photos released from the set of “Modi,” Depp called making the film an “incredibly fulfilling and transformative experience.”

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“I would like to express my profound gratitude to the entire cast, crew, and producers for their unwavering commitment and creativity,” he continued. “To Al, who requested that I make this film — how could I refuse Pacino? A sincere acknowledgement for generously contributing his talent and dedication to this project. ‘Modi’ is a testament to the collaborative spirit of independent filmmaking, and I am excited to present this unique and compelling story to the world.”