Johnny Depp says his life has “become a soap opera”

During a press conference in San Sebastián for his recent directorial debut, “Modi: Three Days on the Wings of Madness,” Johnny Depp looked back on the nearly three decades that had passed since his last feature film, the much-maligned “The Brave” from 1997.

When asked to compare his own experiences with those of his film's protagonist, the bohemian artist Amedeo Modigliani, Depp said both had to earn their spurs.

“Sure, we can say I've been through some things here and there, but I'm fine,” he said.

Depp then appeared to allude to his recent legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard, saying: “I think we've all been through a lot at the end of the day… Maybe your case hasn't become a soap opera or even been televised, but we all experience and go through what we go through.”

“Modi” tells the story of 72 hectic hours in the life of the bohemian artist Amedeo Modigliani (Riccardo Scamarcio), who is trying to find his way in war-torn Paris and the country's vibrant art scene in 1916. After an altercation in an upscale restaurant, Modi hides from the police and ponders the possible end of his career and his life in the City of Light. On the advice of his art dealer and friend Leopold Zborowski (Stephen Graham), Modi risks everything for a meeting with the American collector Maurice Gangnat (Al Pacino), who could turn him from a starving artist into a global megastar with just one word.

Depp was in a thoughtful mood for much of the discussion, saying his recent experience as a director had been “infinitely more positive” than directing “The Brave,” a film he also starred in that was met with disapproval from critics and audiences from the moment it was released more than a quarter of a century ago.

This time, says Depp, the experience “gave me the opportunity to really see and experience… basically being a giant toddler, as I am, and understanding that when you make a movie, it has to be at least fun.”

Depp got the biggest laugh of the day when he talked about why directing might not be for him and what the biggest challenge was for him when working on “Brave.”

“Too much math, man,” he complained. “The math. This has to match and correlate with that… You find yourself in a structured hole, and I don't want to be there.”

“Modi,” he said, was very different. “For me, it was like music. The melody or the chords determine what you put on as the next layer when you record music. The same is true for this film. It was an opportunity to say, 'Okay, I don't have to do anything except sit here and watch these actors live, how they behave and react.'”

This left only one question for the assembled press: Will Depp direct again?

“I'll never do it again. Never again,” he declared confidently, before quickly changing his mind. “Maybe I will. I'm sorry. I apologize. Maybe I will.”

The Modi project has been around for decades. It is directed by Oscar winner Pacino, who personally selected Depp as director. The film is produced by Barry Navidi and Depp's British production label IN.2.

The review embargo on Modi was lifted shortly before today's press conference, and the few reactions released so far have been mostly positive, expressing surprise at how much fun the writers had watching the film. It's still early days, but so far it's looking much better than Depp's 1997 directorial debut, The Brave.

“Modi” is one of Depp's first projects since his legal battle with Heard in 2022, in which he sued her for defamation after she accused him of domestic violence. Depp ultimately won the case, although the controversy it sparked has damaged his career. He made his festival comeback at Cannes last year with a leading role in Maïwenn's “Jeanne du Barry,” but has yet to fully recover in Hollywood.

In an interview with diversity“Modi” producer Navidi said it was “only a matter of time” before Depp was fully accepted by the industry again. “This film will perhaps help and open doors at the same time,” Navidi said. “I know his popularity in Hollywood is one thing – but the masses, the world, they love him.”

Depp has had a close relationship with San Sebastian for several years. In 2020, he won a jury award as a producer for “Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan”, launched IN.2 here in 2021 and received the Donostia Career Achievement Award in 2021. “Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness” celebrates its world premiere on Tuesday evening before being shown twice more at this year's festival.