The 76th edition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival unfurls its curtains with the highly anticipated “Jeanne du Barry,” the sixth film directed by Maïwenn. In this enthralling cinematic experience, the filmmaker not only directs but also graces the screen in the lead role, captivating the audience for a mesmerizing duration of one hour and fifty-six minutes. Joining her is the legendary Johnny Depp, who brilliantly embodies Louis XV.

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“Jeanne du Barry” lights up the big screen with a captivating fusion of classic aesthetics and modern dialogues. This marks Maïwenn’s debut outside the competition. The director previously won the Jury Prize in 2011 for Polisse, and in 2015, Emmanuelle Bercot, one of her actresses, was honored at the festival with an Interpretation Prize for Mon Roi.

Maïwenn firmly establishes herself as a multifaceted force behind the camera, while also making frequent appearances on both the screen and the red carpet, where she is joined by Johnny Depp among other celebrities. In a film that’s vibrant, colorful, and dynamic, Maïwenn tells the story of her star, Jeanne du Barry, with whom she openly identifies. Having married director Luc Besson at sixteen years old, she asserts sharing the same temperament and sensitivity as her main character. Thus, she takes center stage, radiating in her full glory as an actress and feminist. Without overshadowing the talent of her fellow actors, her zest for life and vibrant energy shine through in her performance, as she showcases playful acting and subtle nuances.

Alongside Maïwenn, Johnny Depp maintains his usual charisma. The King of France is portrayed by an Anglo-Saxon actor, but disregarding the flawless French accent criteria, the humor and duality of the character lend Louis XV a captivating presence. The actress-director sees herself more as a conductor and has been receptive to the acting suggestions of her co-star. The supporting cast, notably Benjamin Lavernhe and Pierre Richard, deliver meticulous performances that add depth to the film.

“Jeanne du Barry” seamlessly blends romance, history, tragedy, classicism, and modernism in contemporary dialogues, all encompassed within contemporary dialogues, set designs, ambiance, and costumes. Of note, the replication of certain costumes was entrusted to the fashion house Chanel, exemplifying a prestigious attention to details. This add-on illustrates the story of a common woman who became the king’s protégée, highlighting Parisian fashion of the 18th century.

The film’s synopsis revolves around Jeanne Vaubernier, an ambitious woman who uses her charms to improve her social standing. Her lover, the Count du Barry, who greatly takes benefit of Jeanne’s lucrative gallantries, wishes to introduce her to the King. He arranges the meeting through the influential Duke of Richelieu. The encounter exceeds his expectations as love instantly blossoms between Louis XV and Jeanne. With the courtesan, the King rediscovers his joie de vivre, to the point where he can no longer do without her and decides to make her his official favorite. Scandal ensues: the court resists the presence of a street girl amongst them.

The film places a spotlight on Jeanne du Barry who dazzles the screen with her charming presence, enhanced by Johnny Depp’s triumphant return to cinema. The feature film is masterfully crafted. It begins with a voiceover detailing the origins of the character, then carries the viewer through a finely woven narrative within the ambiance of the court. We follow Jeanne’s journey, from her humble beginnings to her elevation to nobility and her entry into the king’s court. Through the director’s ironic gaze, the film presents striking portraits of ridiculous prudes, but also that of a fiery woman who knows that sooner or later, her star will fade with a mere blink from the king.

Employing a combination of 35mm film, steady camera shots and skillful sequencing, Maïwenn reinvents her cinematic style, intertwining history and stories, empathetic feminism and voracious passion, and the past and present.

Marie-Christine Tayah

Instagram: @mariechristine.tayah