Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness

{{Infobox film

| image = Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Official release poster

| director = Johnny Depp

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Johnny Depp
Al Pacino
Barry Navidi
Andrea Iervolino
Monika Bacardi

}}

| screenplay = {{Plainlist|

Jerzy Kromolowski
Mary Kromolowski

}}

| based_on = {{based on|Modigliani|Dennis McIntyre}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

Riccardo Scamarcio
Stephen Graham
Al Pacino
Antonia Desplat

}}

| music = {{Plainlist|

Sacha Puttnam
Steve McLaughlin

}}

| cinematography = {{Plainlist|

}}

| editing = Mark Davies

| studio = {{Plainlist|

IN.2 Film
Salome Productions
Barry Navidi Productions
ILBE Group
Proton Cinema
The Veterans
Red Sea Film Foundation

}}

| distributor = {{Plainlist|

Be Water (Italy)

}}

| released = {{Film date|df=y|2024|9|24|San Sebastián|2024|10|26|Rome Film Festival|2024|11|21|Italy|}}

| runtime = 110 minutes{{cite web |url=https://www.sansebastianfestival.com/2024/sections_and_films/official_selection/7/720572/in |title=Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness |website=San Sebastián Festival |access-date=26 September 2024}}

| country = {{Plainlist|

United Kingdom
Hungary
Italy

}}

| language = {{Plainlist|

English
Italian

}}

| budget =

| gross = $472,266{{cite web |url=https://the-numbers.com/movie/Modi-Three-Days-on-the-Wings-of-Madness-(2024-Italy)#tab=summary |title='Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness' (2024) |website=The Numbers |access-date=28 April 2025}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt5519506/?ref_=bo_se_r_1 |title='Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness' (2024) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=28 April 2025}}

}}

Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness ({{langx|it|Modì – Tre giorni sulle ali della follia}}) is a 2024 biographical drama film based on the life of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. It is directed by Johnny Depp from a screenplay by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski, which is based on the play Modigliani by Dennis McIntyre.

Produced by Depp's IN.2 Film, Salome Productions, Barry Navidi Productions, and Proton Cinema, it is a co-production between the United Kingdom, Hungary and Italy. It stars Riccardo Scamarcio in the leading role, with Stephen Graham, Al Pacino and Antonia Desplat in supporting roles. The artist's life story, which was previously adapted for Montparnasse 19 (1958) and Modigliani (2004), is Depp's second directorial effort, following The Brave (1997).

Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness premiered at the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival on 24 September 2024. The film was awarded the "Capri Cult Award" or "Cult Movie of the Year Award" at the 29th Capri Hollywood in Rome (Roma Fall Gala 2024) the day before the film premiered in Italy at the 19th Rome Film Festival on 26 October 2024.{{cite web |last=Mancusi |first=Aldo Luigi |title=The Hottest Ticket in Town: Johnny Depp to Close Out Rome Film Fest With 'Modì' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/johnny-depp-modi-rome-film-festival-2024-close-1236040868/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=27 November 2024 |date=22 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=The Honorees List @ Capri Hollywood - Roma Fall Gala (Producer's Night) 2024 |url=https://capri-world.com/2024/10/roma-fall-gala-2024-producers-night-october-25studios/ |website=Capri Hollywood Film Festival |access-date=27 November 2024 |date=28 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Visionary Director Michele Placido and Producers Barry Navidi, Iginio Straffi, Federica Vincenti and Lady Monika Bacardi Honored at Capri Hollywood - Roma Fall Gala 2024 |url=https://capri-world.com/2024/10/roma-fall-gala-2024/ |website=Capri Hollywood Film Festival |access-date=27 November 2024 |date=31 October 2024 |language=it |quote=Premio Cult Movie of the Year Award "Modì" di J. Depp |trans-quote=Cult Movie of the Year Award "Modì" by J. Depp}} The film was released in theatres in Italy on 21 November 2024.

Plot

Seventy-two hours in the life of Bohemian Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, known to his friends as Modì, who frequented the streets of war-torn Paris in 1916. On the run from the police, his desire to end his career and leave the city is dismissed by his fellow Bohemians: French artist Maurice Utrillo, the Belarusian-born Chaïm Soutine and English muse Beatrice Hastings. Modì seeks advice from his Polish art dealer and friend Léopold Zborowski. However, after a night of hallucinations, the chaos in Modì's mind reaches a crescendo when faced with American collector Maurice Gangnat, who has the power to change his life.

Cast

{{castlist|

Riccardo Scamarcio as Amedeo Modigliani
Stephen Graham as Léopold Zborowski
Al Pacino as Maurice Gangnat
Antonia Desplat as Beatrice Hastings
Bruno Gouery as Maurice Utrillo
Ryan McParland as Chaïm Soutine
Luisa Ranieri as Rosalie Tobia
Sally Phillips as Clementine, the general's wife
Benjamin Lavernhe as Monsieur Petit
Viorica Manole as singer
Ionita Manole as singer

}}

Production

=Development=

In the late 1970s, Al Pacino first had the idea to make a biopic about Amedeo Modigliani based on the play Modigliani by Dennis McIntyre. American film producer Keith Barish bought the rights to the play and gave Pacino full creative control. Pacino flew Richard Price to Paris to start writing the script, using the play as the basis for the film. Initially, in 1979, the script was given to American filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola to direct, with Bernardo Bertolucci and Martin Scorsese as Pacino's second and third choices, respectively. After being turned down by Coppola, Pacino presented the script to Scorsese, who was impressed by it. The two men, however, found great difficulty producing the film in the 1980s due to studios not wanting to finance it.{{Cite web |date=15 May 2023 |title=The Strange Story Behind the Modigliani Movie (and Al Pacino's Doomed Attempt to Get it Made) |url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a29955277/scorsese-al-pacino-modigliani-story/ |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=Esquire |language=en-GB}}

Mick Davis wrote a script for Modigliani in the 1990s and sent it to Scorsese. "Martin Scorsese told me it's one of the best screenplays he's ever read and could turn into either a movie or a theatre performance," said Davis in a 2014 interview. Al Pacino and 20th Century Studios received the screenplay not long thereafter and were happy with it, but suggested that Davis combine the new version of the script with the earlier one.

Pacino was considered as director at this point, with Johnny Depp playing the leading role of Modigliani. Pacino first proposed the idea of doing a film about Modigliani to Depp while they were shooting Donnie Brasco in 1997.{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Jamie |date=23 September 2024 |title=Producers of Johnny Depp's 'Modì' Explain Why He Was the Perfect Director for the Surprisingly Lighthearted 'Anti-Biopic' |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/johnny-depp-modi-producers-interview-1236152879/ |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Davis, who was not satisfied with the idea of combining the two versions of the script, decided to make his version of the film in 2004, starring Andy García as the artist.

In 2012, Barry Navidi and Al Pacino discussed the project with the idea of Depp in the role of Modigliani. However, Depp's busy schedule prevented it from happening. Pacino asked Depp to direct the film before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.

= Pre-production =

In August 2022, it was officially announced that Depp would direct and produce Modigliani, with Al Pacino and Barry Navidi producing.{{cite web |last=Ntim |first=Zac |date=15 August 2022 |title=Johnny Depp To Direct 'Modigliani', His First Directorial Effort in 25 Years; Al Pacino Co-Producing |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/johnny-depp-direct-modigliani-al-pacino-amber-heard-1235092154/ |access-date=28 December 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} The film is based on a play by Dennis McIntyre, and adapted for the screen by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski. It is Depp's first directorial effort since The Brave, released in 1997 (in which he starred with Marlon Brando).

It is also Depp's third collaboration with Al Pacino, the two others being Donnie Brasco and Jack and Jill. Depp expressed his admiration of Modigliani: "The saga of Mr. Modigliani's life is one that I'm incredibly honored, and truly humbled, to bring to the screen. It was a life of great hardship, but eventual triumph — a universally human story all viewers can identify with." Pacino, who initially pitched the idea of directing the biopic to Depp, stated: "This is a slice of Modì's life and not a bio. It's been a dream of mine to work with Johnny again — he's a true artist with an amazing vision to bring this great story to the screen."{{Cite web |last=Ritman |first=Alex |date=15 August 2022 |title=Johnny Depp to Direct First Movie in 25 Years; Al Pacino Co-Producing 'Modigliani' Biopic About Italian Artist (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/johnny-depp-direct-modigliani-biopic-al-pacino-1235198846/ |access-date=14 October 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

In May 2023, the film was announced to be titled Modì, and the first round of casting was announced.{{Cite web |last1=Wiseman |first1=Andreas |last2=Fleming, Jr. |first2=Mike |date=10 May 2023 |title=Johnny Depp Sets Cast For His Modigliani Biopic With Riccardo Scamarcio, Pierre Niney & Al Pacino Starring; The Veterans Launches Sales For Cannes Market Ahead Of Fall Shoot |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/johnny-depp-movie-cannes-al-pacino-riccardo-scamarcio-pierre-niney-modigliani-1235362013/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} Riccardo Scamarcio and Pierre Niney were cast in the leading roles as Amedeo Modigliani and Maurice Utrillo, respectively, while Al Pacino was cast as Gangnat.{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/al-pacino-johnny-depp-modi/ |title=Al Pacino Joins Cast of Johnny Depp-Directed Biopic 'Modì' |website=Variety |first=Jeremy |last=Fuster |date=10 May 2023 |access-date=10 May 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Pulver |first=Andrew |date=11 May 2023 |title=Johnny Depp casts Al Pacino in biopic of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/may/11/johnny-depp-casts-al-pacino-in-biopic-of-italian-artist-amedeo-modigliani |access-date=31 May 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}

The film was sold for distribution during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival by the Veterans. In September 2023, Pierre Niney exited the film due to scheduling conflicts,{{Cite web |date=11 September 2023 |title=Pierre Niney chez Johnny Depp : l'acteur renonce finalement au film avec Al Pacino |url=https://www.allocine.fr/article/fichearticle_gen_carticle=1000041455.html |access-date=11 September 2023 |website=AlloCiné |language=fr}} while Luisa Ranieri, Antonia Desplat, Stephen Graham, Bruno Gouery, Ryan McParland, Benjamin Lavernhe and Sally Phillips joined the cast.{{cite web |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=27 September 2023 |title=Johnny Depp Starts Shooting 'Modì' in Hungary, With Italy's Luisa Ranieri Joining Al Pacino and Riccardo Scamarcio in Cast |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/johnny-depp-modi-hungary-italy-luisa-ranieri-al-pacino-1235737158/ |access-date=27 September 2023 |website=Variety}} On 11 October 2023, Romanian taraf singers Viorica and Ionita Manole announced on Instagram that they would appear in the film as singers, performing for Modigliani and his friends.{{Cite web |date=11 October 2023 |title=Cum au ajuns să joace Viorica și Ioniță de la Clejani alături Al Pacino într-un film regizat de Johnny Depp: "Suntem deosebit de onorați" |url=https://www.protv.ro/articol/94173-cum-au-ajuns-sa-joace-viorica-si-ionita-de-la-clejani-alaturi-al-pacino-intr-un-film-regizat-de-johnny-depp-suntem-deosebit-de-onorati |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=Pro TV |language=ro}}

=Filming=

Principal photography commenced in September 2023, in Budapest, Hungary. Some scenes were shot near Károlyi Garden, where the streets were decorated to look like Paris in the 1910s.{{Cite web |date=19 September 2023 |title=Johnny Depp a budapesti Károlyi-kertnél forgat |url=https://telex.hu/szorakozas/2023/09/19/johnny-depp-budapest-modi-rendezes-karolyi-kert-al-pacino |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Telex |language=hu}} This prompted sightings of the cast and of Depp, and posts showing the location of the sets on Hungary's social-media networks.{{Cite web |last=Goodfellow |first=Melanie |date=27 September 2023 |title=Johnny Depp's 'Modì' Adds New Cast As Shoot Gets Underway In Hungary |url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/johnny-depp-modi-luisa-ranieri-shoot-begins-in-hungary-1235557352/ |access-date=27 September 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} On 4 November 2023, filming wrapped in Budapest, with the cast and crew posting photos and celebrating on Instagram. A few days later, Depp took to Instagram to thank the cast and crew for their work on the project.{{Cite web |title=Johnny Depp Shares 'Appreciation' as He Wraps Filming Independent Movie 'Modì' as Director |url=https://people.com/johnny-depp-wraps-filming-independent-movie-modi-al-pacino-8400507 |first=Jen |last=Juneau |date=10 November 2023 |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=People}} In January 2024, the scenes in which Al Pacino are featured were shot in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=18 January 2024 |title=Johnny Depp Hails "Transformative" Experience Of Directing 'Modì' As First Behind-The-Scenes Images Revealed Of Depp, Al Pacino & More |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/johnny-depp-directing-new-movie-modi-first-images-al-pacino-1235796528/ |access-date=20 January 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} Additional filming took place in Turin, Italy, on 20 and 21 February 2024.{{Cite web |title=Johnny Depp to Shoot Sophomore Directorial Project in Budapest |url=https://filmneweurope.com/news/hungary-news/item/124811-johnny-depp-to-shoot-sophomore-directorial-project-in-budapest |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=FilmNewEurope |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |date=9 February 2024 |title=Johnny Depp regista a Torino per due giorni: ciak per "Modì" con Scamarcio |url=https://www.lastampa.it/torino/2024/02/09/news/johnny_depp_regista_torino_modi_scamarcio_modigliani-14056862/ |access-date=12 February 2024 |website=La Stampa |language=it}}

=Post-production=

On 18 January 2024, after filming had wrapped in Los Angeles, the first images from the set were made available, along with a statement by Depp:

{{Blockquote|text=Embarking on this cinematic journey as the director of Modì has been an incredibly fulfilling and transformative experience. I would like to express my profound gratitude to the entire cast, crew, and producers for their unwavering commitment and creativity. To Al, who requested that I make this film—how could I refuse Pacino? A sincere acknowledgement for generously contributing his talent and dedication to this project. Modì is a testament to the collaborative spirit of independent filmmaking, and I am excited to present this unique and compelling story to the world.|author=Johnny Depp, talking about his experience as the director of Modì, Entertainment Tonight{{cite web |last=Kile |first=Meredith B. |date=18 January 2024 |title=Johnny Depp Opens Up About 'Transformative Experience' Directing New Film 'Modì' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.etonline.com/johnny-depp-opens-up-about-transformative-experience-directing-new-film-modi-exclusive-218219 |access-date=21 January 2024 |website=Entertainment Tonight}}}}

In August 2024, the film was given the subtitle Three Days on the Wing of Madness. The film is produced by Depp's IN.2 (a European sister company to his Los Angeles-based Infinitum Nihil), Salome Productions, Barry Navidi Productions and The Veterans, with local production in Budapest handled by Proton Cinema.{{Cite web |date=29 May 2023 |title=Modì – Johnny Depp Will Direct Amedeo Modigliani Biopic in Budapest |website=Budapest Reporter |url=https://www.budapestreporter.com/modi-johnny-depp-will-direct-amedeo-modigliani-biopic-in-budapest/ |access-date=3 September 2023 |language=en-US}} Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness is dedicated to musician Jeff Beck, who was a close friend of Depp's.{{Cite web |last=Ntim |first=Zac |date=24 September 2024 |title=Johnny Depp's 'Modì' Charms San Sebastian, Filmmaker Dedicates Flick To Late Rocker Jeff Beck |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/johnny-depp-modi-san-sebastian-film-festival-2024-jeff-beck-dedication-1236098599/ |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}

=Financing and budget=

On 31 August 2023, it was announced that Modì would be financially backed by the Red Sea Film Foundation, which had also supported Maïwenn's Jeanne du Barry, in which Depp played a leading role.{{Cite web |last=Goodfellow |first=Melanie |date=1 September 2023 |title=Johnny Depp's 'Modì', Michael Mann's 'Ferrari' Secure Saudi Red Sea Film Foundation Investment |url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/saudi-red-sea-film-foundation-support-modi-ferrari-the-ministry-of-ungentlemanly-warfare-1235532487/ |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}

Release

The film premiered out of competition at the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival on 24 September 2024, where it was met with praise and a long standing-ovation by the audience.{{Cite web |last=Ntim |first=Zac |date=20 August 2024 |title=Johnny Depp's 'Modì – Three Days On The Wing Of Madness' To Debut At San Sebastián |url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/johnny-depp-modi-three-days-on-the-wing-of-madness-san-sebastian-film-festival-2024-1236044644/ |access-date=21 August 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} It premiered in Italy at the 19th Rome Film Festival on 26 October 2024 as the closing film,{{Cite web |last=Ntim |first=Zac |date=20 September 2024 |title=Johnny Depp To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award & Screen 'Modì' At Rome Film Festival |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/johnny-depp-lifetime-achievement-modi-rome-film-festival-2024-1236095250/ |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} prior to being released in theatres in Italy by Be Water Film on 21 November 2024.{{cite web |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |title=Johnny Depp's 'Modì' Gets Italian Distribution Via Be Water and Maestro Distribution (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/festivals/johnny-depp-modi-italian-distribution-be-water-maestro-1236007519/ |website=Variety |access-date=27 November 2024 |date=18 May 2024}}{{cite web |author=Be Water Film |title=Modì - Tre Giorni sulle Ali della Follia dal 21 novembre al cinema |trans-title=Modì - Three Days on the Wings of Madness in theaters from November 21 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg297m14MEA |website=YouTube |date=5 November 2024 |quote=Ecco il trailer ufficiale di Modì |trans-quote=Here is the official trailer for Modì |language=it}} The film also played at the 4th Red Sea International Film Festival on 12 December 2024.{{cite web |url=https://redseafilmfest.com/en/rsiff_film/modi-three-days-on-the-wing-of-madness/ |title=Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness |website=RedSeaFilmFest |access-date=28 November 2024}}

Reception

=Critical response=

{{Metacritic film prose|29|4|ref=yes|access-date=8 February 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/modi---three-days-on-the-wing-of-madness/ |title=Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness |website=Metacritic |access-date=8 February 2025}}