06/04/2023 - The film directed by and starring Maïwenn, which is also toplined by Johnny Depp, will open the 76th edition of the festival on 16 May

For the third time in her career – following Poliss [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Maïwenn
film profile] (which won the Jury Prize in 2013) and My King [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] (which earned Emmanuelle Bercot the Best Actress Award) – French filmmaker Maïwenn has been selected in the Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival, but this time, she will have the honour of opening the 76^th edition of the gathering (16-27 May) with her sixth feature, Jeanne du Barry [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], which will get a simultaneous release in French cinemas, courtesy of Le Pacte.

The director also takes on the lead role in her new film, flanked by US actor Johnny Depp (which promises to create a massive buzz among the media). The cast also includes Benjamin Lavernhe, Melvil Poupaud, Pierre Richard, Pascal Greggory and India Hair.

Recounting the life, rise and fall of King Louis XV’s favourite, Jeanne du Barry (the screenplay of which was written by Maïwenn, Teddy Lussi-Modeste and Nicolas Livecchi) revolves around Jeanne Vaubernier, a young, working-class woman hungry for culture and pleasure, who uses her intelligence and allure to climb the rungs of the social ladder one by one. She becomes the favourite of King Louis XV, who, unaware of her status as a courtesan, regains his appetite for life through her. They fall madly in love. Against all propriety and etiquette, Jeanne moves to Versailles, where her arrival scandalises the court.

Staged by Why Not Productions, Jeanne du Barry was co-produced by France 2 Cinéma and France 3 Cinéma. The feature has also been pre-purchased by Netflix, and it is being sold overseas by Goodfellas.

(Translated from French)