Johnny Depp will direct Al Pacino in the biopic of one of the most important Italian artists of the 20th century

The return of Johnny Depp to the big screen at the Cannes Film Festival with ‘Jeanne du Barry’ will serve as a showcase for distributors to invest in their first film as a director in 25 years, a biopic about the Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani that will star, among others, Al Pacino.

Al Pacino will be accompanied on the set of ‘Modi‘, which will begin in the fall, by the actor of ‘John Wick 2’ riccardo scamarcio (Modigliani) and by the winner of the Cesar Award Pierre Niney (Maurice Utrillo). Pacino will appear as the international art collector Gangnat.

Based on a play by Dennis McIntyre and adapted for the screen by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowskithe film will tell the story of the famous painter and sculptor Modigliani during his stay in Paris in 1916.

‘Modi’ will narrate the life of the Italian artist throughout 48 turbulent and eventful hours, in which he flees from the police through the streets and bars of war-torn Paris. His desire to end his career prematurely and leave the city is rejected by other bohemians: the French artist Maurice Utrillothe Belarusian chaim soutine and his English muse and mistress, Beatrice Hastings. Modi seeks advice from his Polish art dealer and friend Leopold Zborowskibut the chaos reaches a climax when he confronts a collector, gangnatthat could change your life.

“It is a snapshot of Modigliani’s life that gives us an idea of ​​his struggle as a artist suffering from lack of recognitionand a project that Al [Pacino] and I have pursued for many years,” said producer Barry Navidi. “Our incredible cast, along with the vision, wit and sensibility that I know Johnny will bring behind the camera, will make this a dream come true”.

Before, Depp will act again in a film after three years fallow. The interpreter of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ will star in the period drama ‘Jeanne du Barry’, which will focus on the extramarital affair of Louis XV (“the well-beloved”) and Madame du Barry. The multidisciplinary artist Maïwenn Le Besco is in charge of giving life to her lover, as well as directing, writing and producing the film that will open the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.