DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival-backed film “Jeanne du Barry” has been announced as the opening title of the Cannes Film Festival in May. French director Maïwenn’s period drama features the director as the titular 18th Century courtesan Madame du Barry opposite Hollywood star Johnny Depp, who plays King Louis XV. RSIFF provided post-production support for the period drama, marking the first time the foundation co-produced a French movie. The financial terms of the investment have not been disclosed. “Jeanne Vaubernier, a young working-class woman hungry for culture and pleasure, 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 courtesan, regains through her his appetite for life. They fall madly in love. Against all propriety and etiquette, Jeanne moves to Versailles, where her arrival scandalizes the court,” the film festival said of the film’s storyline in a released statement. The film will open the famed French festival on May 16 and will be released the in French cinemas the same day.