Johnny Depp Says His Life Turned ‘Into a Soap Opera’ as He Debuts First Directorial Effort in 27 Years: It Was ‘Televised, in Fact’

As a longtime fan who has witnessed Johnny Depp‘s incredible journey through his roles and personal life, I can’t help but feel a sense of admiration and empathy towards him. His experiences, both on and off-screen, have been nothing short of extraordinary. The way he handled the question about his similarities with Modi’s character was profoundly poignant, reminding us all that we’ve each had our fair share of battles to fight.


At a recent news conference in San Sebastian for his newest film, “Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness,” Johnny Depp reminisced about the almost thirty years that have passed since his last significant directorial project, the critically panned “The Brave” from 1997.

Compared to the life of the film’s main character, Amedeo Modigliani, played by him, Johnny Depp stated that they both had to fight for their achievements.

He explained that he’s encountered various situations in different places, but he’s holding up just fine,” he shared.

Afterward, it appeared as if he was hinting at his recent court case with his former spouse, Amber Heard. He stated, “I believe we’ve each faced numerous challenges, eventually… Perhaps yours didn’t transform into a dramatic TV series, but we all encounter and endure our own hardships.

In the heart of 1916, I, an artist named Modi (Riccardo Scamarcio), find myself on a thrilling yet perilous journey through war-torn Paris. As I evade the authorities following a heated incident in a swanky eatery, I ponder over the looming specter of my career’s demise and my own fate in this city of dreams. Guided by the wisdom of my confidant and art dealer, Leopold Zborowski (Stephen Graham), I take a leap of faith to secure an audience with American collector Maurice Gangnat (Al Pacino). This encounter could catapult me from a struggling artist to a globally celebrated sensation, all hinging on a single word.

Throughout most of the conversation, Depp appeared contemplative. He expressed that his latest directing ventures were “exponentially more favorable” compared to the one he encountered while directing and acting in “The Brave,” a film that was met with harsh criticism from both critics and audiences when it debuted over two decades ago.

This time, Depp shares that the process enabled him to truly grasp and enjoy the feeling of being like a big child, as he often is. He also emphasizes that when creating a movie, it must at least be enjoyable.

The most hearty chuckle of the day arose as Depp discussed his doubts about directing and the obstacles he faced during the production of “Brave.

He grumbled about the excessive math, ‘It’s just too many calculations, you know! Everything needs to align and correspond… It feels like I’m trapped in a rigid system, and that’s not where I want to be.’

He stated that Modi was unlike anything else. “For me,” he said, “it was akin to listening to music. The harmony or the notes determine what you add next in terms of recording a song. Similarly with this film, it presented an occasion to simply observe these actors as they lived, acted, and responded.

That left the assembled press with one outstanding question: Will Depp direct again?

He stated decisively, ‘I won’t do it ever again.’ But then, he hesitated and amended his statement, ‘I may do it again. I’m sorry for any inconvenience that causes.’

For many years, the project known as “Modi” has been in existence, led by the esteemed actor Al Pacino who personally selected Johnny Depp for the directorial role. The project is produced by Barry Navidi and Johnny Depp’s U.K.-based production company, IN.2.

The restrictions on the “Modi” movie review have been removed before today’s press conference, and the initial responses that have surfaced express a generally favorable view, with many commenting on how enjoyable they found the film. At this point, it seems that the outlook is far more promising than Johnny Depp’s first directorial effort, “The Brave,” from 1997.

Modi” is one of Johnny Depp’s initial ventures since his 2022 legal dispute with Heard, where he filed a defamation lawsuit against her for alleging domestic abuse. Although he was victorious in the case, the controversy surrounding it has affected his career trajectory. Last year, he made a return to festivals with a leading role in Maïwenn’s “Jeanne du Barry,” but Hollywood hasn’t fully seen a resurgence in his success yet.

In an interview with EbMaster, Navidi, the producer of “Modi”, expressed confidence that Johnny Depp will be warmly welcomed back into the entertainment industry soon. He suggested that this film may contribute to his return and also open up new opportunities for him. “Johnny Depp’s popularity in Hollywood is well-known,” Navidi added, “but it’s the global audience who truly adore him.

Johnny Depp has had a robust connection with San Sebastian for quite some time now. In 2020, he was honored with a jury award as a producer for “Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan”. The following year, in 2021, he introduced IN.2 here and also received the Donostia career achievement award. This year, his film “Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness” will have its world premiere on Tuesday evening, followed by two additional screenings at this year’s festival.

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2024-09-24 18:48