Willem Dafoe takes center stage in Miguel Ángel Jiménez’s The Birthday Party, portraying a Greek shipping magnate whose grand ambitions echo the era’s aristocratic tycoons. The film world-premiered on the opening weekend of Locarno’s 78th edition in Locarno, Switzerland, signaling a standout moment for the festival and its outdoor Piazza Grande screenings.
Dafoe said the character, while reminiscent of historic figures like Aristotle Onassis, isn’t modeled on any single real person. He approached the role by immersing himself in the 1970s setting, focusing on the political and resource-driven dynamics of the shipping industry, rather than chasing a specific blueprint. “It being a film set in the ‘70s, and with some of his relationship with some political figures, I had to understand that kind of mindset,” he explained, while emphasizing that he didn’t seek a strict model for the character.
Discussing his preparation and commitment, Dafoe noted that inhabiting such a figure requires more than physical form. “You don’t earn the right to be that person… You have to commit to do all the things,” he said, underscoring the broader actor’s craft that goes beyond appearance. He added that the physicality of the performance is an integral part of bringing the character to life, whether or not he felt at peak fitness in every scene.
The Birthday Party is a multinational production, bringing together Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It stars Vic Carmen Sonne, Emma Suárez, Joe Cole, and Carlos Cuevas alongside Dafoe, and is among the festival’s popular outdoor offerings in Locarno’s Piazza Grande, a setting known for its vibrant, open-air reception.
Locarno78 opened on Wednesday and runs through August 16, continuing to showcase bold, auteur-driven cinema that attracts international talent and audiences eager for distinctive storytelling.
Additional notes:
– The festival’s Piazza Grande screenings continue to be a highlight, offering cinematic experiences under the open sky that blend intimate performances with grand productions.
– Dafoe’s insistence on a fully committed portrayal, including non-traditional staging and physical presence, aligns with Locarno’s artist-forward reputation and could set a strong tone for the film’s reception ahead of broader release.