Willem Dafoe’s Masterclass at the Sarajevo Film Festival
During the Sarajevo Film Festival, acclaimed actor Willem Dafoe was honored with the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo award and took the opportunity to support Miguel Ángel Jiménez’s film, “The Birthday Party.” In a comprehensive masterclass, Dafoe revisited some of his most noteworthy roles while briefly addressing current American politics.
Thoughts on American Politics
In a discussion about his Oscar-nominated performance in Sean Baker’s 2017 film “The Florida Project,” Dafoe recalled his interview with Larry King following the movie’s release, just as the U.S. entered the era of the Trump administration. At that time, Dafoe expressed concerns about the country’s direction, stating, “not going in the right direction.” When asked if he still believes the U.S. is misdirected, he responded wryly, “You gotta be kidding me with this question, right?” before swiftly changing the topic.
Reflecting on ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’
Looking back at his career, Dafoe touched on the polarizing response to Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Temptation of Christ,” where he portrayed Jesus. He described the role as “beautiful,” emphasizing its exploration of the human side of Jesus, a character who wrestles with his divine responsibilities. “It’s one of my favourite roles because it was so demanding,” he said. “There was a beauty, a grace, and simplicity to it.”
Controversy and Backlash
When questioned about the backlash the film received, Dafoe admitted he found it shocking. He believed that much of the controversy was fueled by the religious right seeking to rally support for their cause. “They complained about the idea of the movie. They hadn’t seen it,” he noted, adding that the discourse eventually took on a troubling antisemitic angle. “It morphed into a strange thing about Jews in Hollywood… It wasn’t the Catholic Church; it was the fundamental right in America that started it,” he stated. Despite the outrage, Dafoe highlighted that the film aimed to address faith in an age dominated by violence and pornographic content.
The Experience of Crucifixion
In a lighter moment, when asked about the experience of being crucified on screen, Dafoe quipped, “I put any of you up on a cross and you’ll have an experience.” He humorously suggested that he could find a piece of land for others to recreate that experience.
Embracing the Green Goblin
Revisiting his role as Norman Osborn, aka the Green Goblin, in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man,” Dafoe expressed his enjoyment in portraying the character, particularly in the original film. “The original ‘Spider-Man’ was a lot of fun because within a scene it could switch from very dramatic to very comic,” he explained. He appreciated the tangible nature of the action scenes at the time, noting the reliance on wires rather than CGI.
Stunts and Collaboration
Dafoe underscored the importance of performing his own stunts for authenticity, stating, “You want to take responsibility for everything so all the dots connect.” He discussed his collaborations with directors like Abel Ferrara and Paul Schrader, describing Ferrara’s style as fluid and personal, while Schrader encourages actors to approach their roles with confidence and independence.
Upcoming Projects
Looking ahead, Dafoe is in pre-production for his fourth project with director Robert Eggers, who he praised for his detailed research and creative vision. “He’s a passionate, smart guy. I like his aesthetic sensibility, and he’s very kind,” Dafoe stated, revealing a newfound interest in the 1300s in England due to his collaboration with Eggers.
