MOVIE NEWS – Johnny Depp returns to the cinema after three years with the historical drama Jeanne du Barry, in which he plays King Louis XV of France. The film is directed by and stars the French actress-director Maïwenn, who plays the king’s favorite lady-in-waiting, Jeanne du Barry. The film will be the opening film of the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 16th.

The film is set in the 18th century, when Jeanne Vaubernier, a young working-class woman hungry for culture and pleasure, uses her intelligence and charm to climb up the social ladder one by one. She becomes the favorite of King Louis XV who does not know that she is a courtesan. The king regains his appetite for life with Jeanne by his side and falls madly in love with her. Jeanne moves to Versailles against all propriety and etiquette, where she scandalizes the where she scandalizes the court.

The film is produced by Pascal Caucheteux and Gregoire Sorlat, who have made films such as A Prophet or Titane. The world distribution is handled by Goodfellas. The director Maïwenn previously won the jury prize in Cannes with the film Polisse in 2011 and returned to the festival in 2015 with the film My King, for which Emmanuelle Bercot won the best actress award.

Jeanne du Barry is Johnny Depp’s comeback to the film world after three years, after his explosive divorce trial with his ex-wife Amber Heard, who accused him of abuse. Depp has several other film plans, including directing a Modigliani biopic and rumors of returning to the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.

Source: IndieWire