Johnny Depp’s new film Modi will close out the Rome Film Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26, and the denizens of The Eternal City can’t wait for the star to arrive.
Indeed, the highlight of an otherwise unremarkable edition of the 10-day-long fest will undoubtedly be Johnny Depp’s appearance on Saturday to present the biopic Modi, which premiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival and chronicles three chaotic days in the life of Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani.
Meanwhile, at an event that is separate from the film fest, Depp’s film will on Friday night receive the coveted Capri Cult Award.
The producer of Modi, Barry Navidi, a long-time friend of Al Pacino, will pick up the Capri prize on Friday night. In Depp’s film, Navidi plays Maurice Gagnant, an art collector fascinated by Modigliani.
The Capri Cult Award is bestowed by the Capri Institute, the non-profit organization that organizes an annual film fest on the eponymous island. The annual Capri Fest begins on Dec. 27. The Capri Institute is chaired by Lina Wertmuller. Last year’s winner was Miranda’s Victim, the indie directed by Michele Danner.
Modì showcases Depp’s directorial skills, pushing beyond mainstream clichés, and features a stellar cast, including Al Pacino and Rebecca Hall, that tells the story of how the famous painter Modigliani delves into his art, relationships, and personal struggles. It highlights Modigliani’s fight to make a name for himself in the art world, showcasing his creative genius and tumultuous experiences.
Depp’s appearance in front of the film festival crowds will take place on Saturday but Depp-mania gets started a day earlier with the official Capri award presentation being held at the Studios – Ex De Paolis in Rome.
Following the ceremony, there will be a gala dinner featuring a star-studded guest list from the Italian film industry and beyond. Attendees will include Oscar winner Billie August, Tony Renis, and Oscar-winning production designers Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo. Also in attendance will be the film’s stars, Riccardo Scamarcio and Antonia Desplat, and other Italian celebs, including Enrico Vanzina, Massimo Ghini, Lina Sastri, and more.
“It’s a joy to combine the official opening of the 29th edition of Capri Hollywood in Rome with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the laying of the first stone of the International Studios on Via Tiburtina,” said Pascal Vicedomini, the driving force behind the Capri awards ceremony.
Vicedomini, who hosts an Access Hollywood-style program on Italian television, is the founder and president of the Capri Institute. He has dedicated his life to broadcasting about cinema and building cultural bridges between Italy and the United States. Under his leadership, the Capri Institute has hosted significant events, promoting Italian film talent in Hollywood.
The Capri Cult Award, which precedes the Capri Hollywood festival (running Dec. 27-Jan. 2), exemplifies Vicedomini’s impact on the industry. With support from the Italian Ministry of Culture and corporate sponsors, he has transformed the Los Angeles festival into a sister event of Capri.
“This festival is considered a good luck charm for some of our participants,” said Vicedomini. “We’ve brought in many names who were initially unknown and then exploded, like Gerard Butler and Mélanie Laurent,” he added.