LOS ANGELES, Aug 20: Johnny Depp's second directorial project, Modi — Three Days on the Wings of Madness, is set to premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival next month. The film, featuring Riccardo Scamarcio as the renowned Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani, will be showcased in the festival’s out-of-competition section.

Modi is described as “a tale of art, love, and rejection” and portrays a tumultuous 72-hour period through the streets and bars of Paris during World War I. The cast also includes Stephen Graham, Al Pacino, and Antonia Desplat.

This film marks Depp’s return to directing after his 1997 debut with the critically received The Brave. It also represents one of his first projects following his 2022 defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard, in which he was awarded damages after she accused him of domestic abuse. Despite winning the case, the controversy has affected his career. Depp made a festival comeback at Cannes in 2023 with a leading role in Maïwenn’s Jeanne du Barry. Although there were rumors that Modi might debut at the Venice Film Festival, it is now making its premiere in San Sebastian.

In a statement, Depp expressed that making Modi was an “incredibly fulfilling and transformative experience.” He extended his gratitude to the cast, crew, and producers for their dedication and creativity. He particularly thanked Al Pacino for requesting him to direct the film, acknowledging Pacino’s significant contribution to the project. Depp highlighted that Modi embodies the collaborative spirit of independent filmmaking and expressed excitement about presenting this distinctive and compelling story to audiences worldwide.