Jeanne du Barry

The period piece that opened this year’s Cannes Film Festival tells the story of a courtesan, Jeanne (played by director Maïwenn) in France during the 1700s. Jeanne uses her cleverness and beauty to climb the social hierarchy and eventually ends up in Versailles with none other than King Louis XV.

Louis XV is played by none other than Johnny Depp (who for the occasion speaks French). The relationship is a scandal at court, and the king’s daughters are Jeanne’s fiercest opponents. The film is based on actual events, and Jeanne was Louis XV’s last official lover before his death. Maïwenn has made a film that engaged in issues such as racism, the role of women, and class.

«…the movie is as engaging as it is sinisterly ridiculous. Its costumery is luxe and eye-popping, its courtly intrigue pleasingly low-stakes […] Jeanne du Barry wants you to feel the fantasy»
– Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair –

This film is supported by Institut français de Norvège

Johanne Svendsen Rognlien

Director

Maïwenn (b. 1976) is a French-Algerian actor and filmmaker. She started acting in the 1980s and has played in several films since then. As a director and screenwriter, she started her career with Pardonnez-moi in 2006. Her third feature, Polisse (2011), received several awards and was nominated for several César awards. Jeanne du Barry (2023) is her sixth feature film and was the Opening Film at the Cannes Film Festival.

This film is part of