During the San Sebastian International Film Festival, Johnny Depp connected his film Modi’s subject with his personal life.
Two years after the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, the Pirates of the Caribbean star has compared his highly publicised courtroom drama with a “soap opera.” The 2022 trial captured media and public attention, as it featured surprise celebrity witnesses and fans eagerly gathered outside the court to support their favourite stars. During the 2024 San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain, Johnny spoke about his directorial, Modi – Three Days on the Wing of Madness, which tells the story of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, starring Italian actor Riccardo Scamarcio in the titular role.
Set during World War I Paris, the film shows a hectic 72-hour period where Modigliani dodges bombs, police and critics while desperately searching place for his art. Johnny revealed how he felt connected to the film’s subject.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, Johnny Depp said, “Each one has their story, because I’m sure we can say that I’ve been through a number of things here and there. But you know, I’m all right and I think we’ve all been through a number of things, ultimately. Maybe yours didn’t turn into a soap opera. I mean, televised, in fact. But, we all experience and go through what we go through. And those things that we are able to live and remember and use, these are your stripes. You never forget them.”
Johnny was married to Amber Heard between 2015 and 2017. He filed a lawsuit against the Aquaman actress after she published an article in The Washington Post in 2018. Even though she didn’t mention Depp in the article, his legal team claimed it was obvious she was calling him out. After several weeks of trial in 2022, the jury decided in favour of Depp and concluded that Heard had intentionally harmed his reputation with her statements.
Since the conclusion of the trial, Johnny Depp has slowly begun accepting projects in Hollywood again. He is scheduled to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Rome Film Festival in October and will also be opening an art exhibit in New York City in the same month. Meanwhile, Amber Heard is leading a more private life in Spain with her daughter, Oonagh Paige Heard.