In a candid and revealing press conference at the 2024 San Sebastian Film Festival, Johnny Depp made his much-anticipated return to the director’s chair with his latest project, Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness. The film marks Depp’s first time directing in nearly three decades, with his last outing being the critically derided The Brave, released in 1997. With a sense of nostalgia and reflection, Depp spoke about the challenges and triumphs of his long career, both in front of and behind the camera, and how this new project offered him a fresh perspective on filmmaking.
Depp’s Journey: Reflecting on 27 Years Since The Brave
Asked how it felt to direct again after such a long hiatus, Depp couldn’t help but draw comparisons to his earlier work, particularly The Brave. That film, in which Depp both starred and directed, was met with widespread criticism and failed to resonate with audiences upon its release. Reflecting on the experience, Depp admitted that The Brave was a difficult project, one that didn’t receive the reception he had hoped for at the time.
“The experience of directing The Brave was pretty rough,” Depp shared with the audience. “It didn’t go the way I thought it would, and it felt like I was just treading water the whole time.” He continued, saying that the disappointment surrounding that project stayed with him for many years, but it didn’t completely deter him from wanting to try his hand at directing again someday. However, the road back to directing was a long one, marked by the trials and tribulations of a career filled with both extraordinary success and personal struggles.
Comparing His Journey to Modigliani
Depp was also asked whether he related personally to the protagonist of Modi, the bohemian artist Amedeo Modigliani. Depp reflected on how both he and Modigliani had to fight to prove themselves in their respective fields. Modigliani, known for his radical and unconventional art, struggled to gain recognition during his lifetime, much like Depp has had to overcome personal and professional challenges over the years.
“Sure, we can say that I’ve been through a number of things here and there, but I’m alright,” Depp commented, with a slight nod to his tumultuous personal life. He then indirectly referred to his highly publicized legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard, a court case that dominated headlines around the world. “I think we’ve all been through a number of things, ultimately,” Depp added. “Maybe yours didn’t turn into a soap opera, televised in fact, but we all experience and go through what we go through.”
This level of introspection was echoed throughout the press conference, as Depp seemed keen to express how his own life experiences have shaped not just his approach to acting, but also to directing. The ability to relate to the turmoil and artistic passion of Modigliani became a key element in Depp’s creative process for the film.
The Story of Modi: Amedeo Modigliani’s 72 Hours of Madness
Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness tells the story of 72 intense hours in the life of Amedeo Modigliani, an Italian-born artist living in Paris in 1916. The film explores Modigliani’s life during a period of great personal and professional turmoil, as he tries to navigate the complexities of his art, love life, and the ever-evolving cultural landscape of early 20th-century Paris.
In the film, Modigliani, played by Riccardo Scamarcio, is on the run from the police after an altercation in a high-end Parisian restaurant. With the law closing in on him and his career seemingly hanging by a thread, Modigliani contemplates whether his time in the City of Light might be coming to an end. However, his fortunes may change thanks to his close friend and art dealer, Leopold Zborowski, played by Stephen Graham, who urges him to take a risky meeting with American art collector Maurice Gangnat (portrayed by Al Pacino). Gangnat, who is well-known for his ability to make or break artists, holds the key to Modigliani’s future success. A single word from him could turn the struggling artist into a global sensation overnight.
The film takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster, filled with tension, passion, and creative exploration. As Depp described it, Modi unspools like a piece of music, where each scene flows into the next, building upon the last like notes in a symphony.
A Different Approach to Directing
One of the most significant aspects of Modi is how it differs from Depp’s previous directorial efforts. This time around, the experience was much more positive and allowed Depp to tap into a more free-flowing and intuitive style of filmmaking. Depp compared his approach to directing Modi to that of composing music, where the rhythm and melody dictate the next step.
“This, for me, was like music,” Depp explained. “The melody or the chords are gonna dictate what you put on as the next layer in terms of recording music. Same thing with this film. It was an opportunity to go, ‘Okay, I don’t have to do shit except sit here and watch these actors live and behave and react.’”
For Depp, the key to the success of Modi lay in allowing the actors to inhabit their characters fully, giving them the freedom to breathe life into the story. He explained how the creative process on this film was more relaxed and organic compared to his experience on The Brave, which he described as more structured and confining.
“Too much math, man,” Depp said, recalling the challenges of The Brave. “The mathematics. This has to coincide and correlate with that… You find yourself in some structured hole, and I don’t want to be there.” In contrast, with Modi, Depp was able to let go of that rigidity and allow the film to evolve naturally, trusting the actors and the story to guide him.
Depp’s Uncertain Future as a Director
When asked whether he would consider directing another film in the future, Depp offered a humorous and candid response. At first, he firmly declared, “I’ll never do it again. Never again.” But just as quickly, he changed his mind, saying, “I might. Sorry. I apologize. I might.”
The uncertainty reflects Depp’s complex relationship with directing. While Modi seems to have reignited his passion for the craft, Depp is clearly aware of the challenges that come with being a director. The process, while rewarding, can be incredibly demanding, and Depp hinted that he might prefer to focus on acting and producing in the future.
The Decades-Long Journey of Modi
Modi is not just a passion project for Depp, but for many involved in its creation. The film has been in development for decades, with Academy Award-winning actor Al Pacino playing a crucial role in bringing it to life. Pacino, a long-time admirer of Modigliani’s work, was instrumental in selecting Depp as the director, believing in his vision for the project. The film is produced by Barry Navidi and Depp’s U.K.-based production label, IN.2.
Pacino’s involvement in Modi extends beyond just his performance as Maurice Gangnat. The actor has been a driving force behind the film since its inception, and his passion for the project is evident. Depp expressed his gratitude for Pacino’s faith in him as a director, saying that working with the legendary actor was both an honor and a learning experience.
Positive Early Reception for Modi
The review embargo for Modi was lifted just ahead of the press conference, and early reactions have been largely positive. Critics have praised the film for its emotional depth and engaging performances, with many expressing surprise at how enjoyable the viewing experience was. This stands in stark contrast to Depp’s previous directorial effort, The Brave, which was widely panned by critics.
While it’s still early, the initial reception of Modi bodes well for Depp’s return to directing. Many are hopeful that the film will help Depp regain his footing in Hollywood, especially after the highly publicized legal battles that have affected his career in recent years.
Depp’s Comeback Following Legal Battles
Modi is one of Depp’s first major projects since his 2022 defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard. The legal battle, which captivated global audiences, saw Depp suing Heard for defamation after she accused him of domestic abuse. Depp ultimately won the case, but the controversy took a toll on his career, leading to a period of professional uncertainty.
Despite the challenges, Depp has slowly been making his way back into the spotlight. In 2023, he made a significant return to the film industry with his role in Jeanne du Barry, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. While Depp has yet to fully regain his former standing in Hollywood, his supporters believe that Modi could mark a turning point in his career.
Producer Barry Navidi expressed confidence that Depp will eventually be fully embraced by the film industry again. “It’s just a matter of time,” Navidi said in an interview with Variety. “This movie perhaps is going to help and, at the same time, open doors. I know that his popularity is one thing in Hollywood — but the masses, the world, they love him.”
Depp’s Long-Standing Relationship with San Sebastian
The San Sebastian Film Festival holds a special place in Depp’s heart. Over the years, the actor has developed a strong relationship with the festival, earning recognition for his work both as an actor and a producer. In 2020, Depp won a jury award as a producer for Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan, a documentary about the iconic Irish musician. The following year, Depp launched his production company IN.2 at the festival and was honored with the Donostia career achievement award in recognition of his contributions to cinema.
Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness made its world premiere at the festival, and the film is set to screen twice more during the event. The warm reception Modi has received at San Sebastian is a testament to Depp’s enduring connection with the festival and his ability to continue making meaningful contributions to the world of film.
Johnny Depp’s return to directing with Modi represents a significant chapter in his career, one marked by personal growth, artistic exploration, and resilience. While the road back to Hollywood’s good graces may still be long, Depp’s ability to create compelling and emotionally resonant films like Modi suggests that he still has much to offer as both an actor and a filmmaker. As Depp navigates the complexities of his personal and professional life, Modi stands as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, great art can still be made.
