Johnny Depp’s ”Modi” debuts at San Sebastian: A cinematic journey through madness
A long-awaited premiere
This week, Johnny Depp‘s much-anticipated film, Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness, makes its world premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival. This project, which has been in the works for decades, was initially brought to Depp by Al Pacino, who was inspired by a play he saw years ago. The film promises to be a whirlwind exploration of the life of bohemian artist Amedeo Modigliani, known affectionately as Modi.
A synopsis of chaos and creativity
The official synopsis of Modi reads: ”A seventy-two-hour whirlwind in the life of bohemian artist Amedeo Modigliani, known as Modi to his friends, follows a chaotic series of events through the streets of war-torn Paris in 1916. On the run from the police, his desire to end his career and leave the city is dismissed by fellow artists Maurice Utrillo, Chaim Soutine, and Modi’s muse, Beatrice Hastings. Modi seeks advice from his art dealer and friend, Leopold Zborowski — however, after a night of hallucinations, the chaos in Modi’s mind reaches a crescendo when faced with an American collector, Maurice Gangnat, who has the power to change his life.”
The journey from play to screenplay
Pacino had long harbored the dream of making a film about Modigliani. He eventually took the play’s script to his longtime collaborator, Barry Navidi, who was equally impressed. Navidi then enlisted writers Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski to adapt the play into a screenplay. The project first came to Depp’s attention when he and Navidi worked together on Donnie Brasco in 1997. Now, over twenty-five years later, the film is ready to be shared with audiences.
Depp’s connection to Modigliani
When asked about his connection to the film’s main character, Depp expressed a deep affinity for Modigliani. “Modigliani was, of course, one of the great contemporary artists of all time. But he also represented an era and point of view where new possibilities still existed. His vision fascinates me. He doggedly walked to the beat of his own drum and possessed a natural allergy for convention during a time where the norm was being openly challenged across every medium. It would be foolish not to admit that everything Modigliani ever stood for, and continues to stand for, resonates deeply within me.”
A stellar cast and production team
The film features a cast of historical figures led by actors Riccardo Scamarcio, Stephen Graham, Al Pacino, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery, and Luisa Ranieri. Produced by Depp and Navidi through Modi Productions Limited and Depp’s U.K. label IN.2, the film promises to be a visual and emotional feast.
The making of “Modi”
Ahead of the film’s premiere, Navidi and IN.2 CEO Stephen Deuters and head of production Stephen Malit shared insights into the film’s long journey and why Depp was the right person to direct it. Navidi highlighted Depp’s sensitivity as an artist, noting his multifaceted talents as a painter, musician, actor, and director. “Johnny totally owned it. He said from the beginning, ‘I’m gonna find my vision when I start directing this.’ And that’s exactly what it was with the writers and then the actors who were constantly working and reworking the dialogue and rewriting.”
The freedom of creativity
Deuters emphasized the creative freedom that both the writers and actors had in bringing this story to life. “It was all about keeping the spirit, maintaining the spirit. Obviously, we didn’t want to go completely off-piece. Everyone did their research. Antonia Desplat, for example, did an astonishing amount of research. She was the teacher’s pet there. Ricardo, he liked to fly by the seat of his pants a little bit more. Ryan and Bruno certainly did their work. So, everyone did their homework before the shoot, but when they got on set, they started to find the characters, listen to Johnny and move around more.”
Casting the perfect Modi
Navidi and Deuters also discussed the casting process. Initially, there was a thought of having Depp play Modigliani, but due to his busy schedule, that idea was shelved. Instead, the casting director presented a picture of Riccardo Scamarcio to Depp, who immediately felt he was the right choice. “He had Oliver Reed eyes. And that really stuck with Johnny. Johnny’s a very sort of instinctual person when it comes to these things. He’s like, ’First thought, best thought.’ A lot of the time, he goes with his gut.”
San Sebastian: A festival of significance
San Sebastian holds a special place for Depp and IN.2. The festival has been a platform for several of their projects, including the well-received documentary Crock of Gold about Shane MacGowan. Malit reflected on the festival’s importance, noting its quality and the positive experiences they’ve had there. “San Sebastian is wonderful because it works well with what IN.2 was set up to do, which is make films exactly like Modi, films with a European sensibility and American accessibility.”
A new chapter in Depp’s career
As Modi premieres at San Sebastian, it marks a significant moment in Depp’s career, showcasing his talents not just as an actor but as a director. The film’s exploration of Modigliani’s chaotic life and artistic vision promises to captivate audiences and offer a fresh perspective on a historical figure who continues to inspire.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Modi.
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