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

Johnny Depp’s second directorial effort, Modi – Three Days on the Wing of Madness, is set to premiere out of competition at the 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival. The festival, which revealed updates to its program recently, will feature Depp’s biopic on the Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani.

Following the legal controversies surrounding his split from actress Amber Heard, Depp remains a polarizing figure in Hollywood. He first ventured into directing with The Brave in 1997. At the 2021 San Sebastian Film Festival, Depp was honored with the Donostia Award for lifetime achievement.

Modi – Three Days on the Wing of Madness portrays the life of the bohemian artist Modigliani, with Riccardo Scamarcio taking on the titular role. The film also stars Al Pacino, Stephen Graham, and Antonia Desplat. According to the plot synopsis, the film is “a tale of art, love, and rejection,” set against the chaotic backdrop of a Paris embroiled in World War I, unfolding over a whirlwind 72-hour period.

Alongside Depp’s film, the San Sebastian Film Festival will also feature Lumière!, l’aventure continue (Lumiere! The adventure continues) by Thierry Frémaux in its Special Screenings. Additionally, Piet Baumgartner’s second feature, Bagger Drama, and Sylvia Le Fanu’s debut film, Min Evige Sommer (My Eternal Summer), will be part of the New Directors section.

This year’s festival will honor Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett with the Donostia Award. Furthermore, new films by directors Mike Leigh, François Ozon, Edward Berger, Joshua Oppenheimer, and Costa-Gavras will compete for the festival’s prestigious Golden Shell.

The San Sebastian Film Festival will run from September 20 to 28, offering a diverse lineup of films and celebrating various cinematic achievements.