Four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe, known for roles in films like Platoon and Poor Things, was honored this year with a Heart of Sarajevo Award for his career achievements. During the Sarajevo Film Festival, Dafoe revisited the Bosnian capital 25 years after previously presenting Steve Buscemi’s Animal Factory, taking part in a sold-out masterclass and presenting Miguel Ángel Jimenez’s The Birthday Party at the Variety Lounge.
The actor remarked on the festival’s growth and enthusiasm.
The festival is really thriving and growing,
Dafoe said.
I just had a talk, and it was a very enthusiastic reception. People are believers in cinema, so I’m always happy to go where those people are.
The Vital Role of Film Festivals for Independent Cinema
Dafoe is a familiar figure on the international festival circuit and shared insight into the importance of these events for filmmakers. After Sarajevo, he was scheduled to attend the Venice Film Festival for premieres of Kent Jones’ Late Fame and Gastón Solnicki’s The Souffleur, followed by Toronto for Nadia Latif’s The Man in My Basement.
He emphasized the crucial platform festivals provide for smaller and internationally funded films.
Festivals are wildly important, particularly for small and international movies funded through co-productions,
he said, adding,
It’s important to get them seen, to get people behind them. It breaks your heart when you make something that you believe in, and you think it’s a beautiful film, and it doesn’t get seen. You do everything you can to try to help promote it.
Dafoe also highlighted how festivals connect audiences with emerging filmmakers and enrich film discussions.
Festivals introduce you to new filmmakers, and they also elevate the discourse about film, and that keeps film alive and happy,
he concluded.
Collaboration Across Generations of Filmmakers
With a career spanning over five decades and more than 150 projects, Dafoe has worked with celebrated directors such as Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese, and William Friedkin. At the same time, he has supported first-time and emerging directors, including Sean Baker and Robert Eggers early in their careers.
Reflecting on the differences between seasoned and new filmmakers, Dafoe explained,
certain kind of expertise, of elevated craft.
He noted,
But sometimes they’ve seen better days, where younger people that are at the beginning of their careers are so turned on, and sometimes it’s good to not know any better. As you become seasoned, there’s a chance that a certain kind of corruption and routine can creep into your work. Younger directors have nothing to compare it to. They’re excited, and you slipstream that.
Willem Dafoe’s Perspectives on Cinema’s Future
Dafoe expressed concern about the declining value placed on the theatrical experience, cautioning that audiences need to engage with challenging films to receive the full cinematic reward.
If you don’t pay attention, if you don’t go to the challenging films that require your attention, then you’re not going to be rewarded with a special experience. That’s what I worry about,
he explained.
Despite these worries, Dafoe remains optimistic about his upcoming projects, including a new collaboration with Robert Eggers titled Werwulf. He shared,
Film on some level is in crisis, but I’m finding a lot of great things to do and I’m excited,
affirming his continued passion for cinema’s evolution.
