New Delhi: The 76th Cannes Film Festival officially began with Johnny Depp’s ‘Jeanne du Barry’, and the actor received a seven-minute standing ovation at the premiere of the festival's opening night film. A video of the moment is doing the rounds on social media.
Depp got emotional and held back tears as the crowd erupted in prolonged applause for his performance. He waved to the audience in the balcony and seemed taken aback by the response.
Depp essays the role of King Louis XV in the film directed by Maiwenn. This is the actor’s first film after his legal battle with ex-girlfriend Amber Heard.
The film's director and star, Maiwenn, also broke out into tears as she briefly took the mic. "I want to share this moment with my lover, with my producer, with Le Pacte. It was a production that was difficult to finance and I want to share this moment with all my team across the theatre,” she was quoted as saying by IANS.
As per 'Variety', Depp was welcomed by thousands of supportive fans at Cannes, who carried signs outside the Palais and trembled as they tried to touch their idol. Many were successful in making contact with Depp, who worked the fan line outside for five full minutes before walking the carpet.
'Jeanne du Barry' stars Maiwenn as Jeanne Vaubernier, a working-class woman in 18th century France who rises the social ranks and becomes King Louis XV's lover. Her working-class roots make her a social pariah in the king's court. The supporting cast includes Benjamin Lavernhe, Pierre Richard, Melvil Poupaud, and Pascal Greggory.
The movie marks Depp's acting comeback after a three-year hiatus following his long legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard that culminated in a defamation trial won by Depp in December.