On July 13, the Khudozhestvenny cinema in Moscow will host the premiere of a new biographical film about the life of Maivenn Jeanne DuBarry, featuring Johnny Depp in the lead role. This development was confirmed by the cinema’s press service, as reported by TASS.
According to Stas Tyrkin, the program director at Khudozhestvenny cinema, international media outlets reacted with interest to the project. Tyrkin noted that Depp’s name alone already generates conversation, while the film’s subject matter attracts attention due to the historical period and the famed public personas involved. There is a belief among critics and audiences alike that the movie revisits a classic era of French history through a contemporary lens, pairing a well-known Hollywood star with a European director’s distinctive approach.
The film’s narrative centers on a pivotal chapter in French royal history. It examines the relationship between Louis XV and his younger mistress, Jeanne Du Barry, offering a dramatized portrayal of court life, personal ambition, and the delicate balance of power during a transformative era. The cast includes Johnny Depp alongside Maiwenn, Louis Garrel, Pierre Richard, and Noémie Lvovsky, each contributing to a tapestry of aristocratic intrigue and emotional tension. The production has generated anticipation for its stylistic choices, including costume design, set pieces, and the overall atmosphere that seeks to bring 18th-century Versailles into sharper focus for modern audiences. This collaboration has drawn attention from fans of historical drama and cinephiles who follow the careers of the principal actors involved.
A trailer for Jeanne Du Barry was released in late June, giving viewers a first glimpse of the film’s tone and visual language. The promotional materials have been widely shared in film communities, where observers discuss the film’s potential to revive interest in long-form historical storytelling. The project’s reception has included conversations about how modern audiences respond to period pieces, especially when cross-border talents contribute to the final product.
Earlier reports indicated that the drama Jeanne Du Barry, featuring Depp, was slated to be shown at a film festival in Vologda, underscoring the work’s cross-regional reach and its appeal to diverse audiences across Russia. The festival appearances, together with the Moscow premiere, highlight a strategic festival circuit pathway intended to position the film within both art house and mainstream markets. At home and abroad, critics are watching how the collaboration between a celebrated American actor and a French director may influence perceptions of historical cinema in the current cultural landscape. In this context, the project is watched not only for its storytelling but also for its production design, historical consultation, and the balance it strikes between entertainment value and historical interpretation. (Source attribution: TASS)