Willem Dafoe-led Late Fame heads to Venice in the Orizzonte section
Willem Dafoe stars in Late Fame, a tragic drama about a New York poet who has spent years out of the glare of adulation and is finally rediscovered in his twilight years by a circle of twenty-something admirers. The film will premiere in the Orizzonte (Horizons) section at the Venice International Film Festival.
In the story, Dafoe portrays Ed Saxberger, a poet who once toiled quietly in a post office before fame finally comes knocking through the intercession of a young NYU graduate, Meyers, who introduces him to a thriving group of devoted fans. Among them is Gloria, played by Greta Lee, whose trajectory pulls the poet in unexpected directions. The narrative interweaves three concurrent stories—the poet’s, Gloria’s, and the lives of his fans—exploring how art, memory, and youthful fervor collide.
Kent Jones, the director behind Late Fame, has long been drawn to Arthur Schnitzler’s eponymous novella that inspired the project. In a recent interview, Jones spoke about Dafoe’s casting, noting the actor’s deep emotional engagement with Schnitzler’s work. He recalled a plane ride with Dafoe in which the actor already carried a copy of the novella, suggesting that Dafoe was attuned to the material before the script reached him.
The screenplay is by Samy Burch, the Oscar-nominated writer of May December, whose work Jones praised for its emotional range, humor, and frank, intimate portrayal of a city and its people. Jones described Late Fame as a film that captures New York’s layered present and a past that remains vividly alive, brought to life through a collaborative, jazz-like spirit on set.
After its Venice premiere, Late Fame is slated to screen at the 2025 New York Film Festival, continuing its cross-city dialogue about fame, aging, and the enduring power of poetry.
Additional context and value:
– The film promises a character-driven portrait of late-life recognition, exploring how admiration from a younger generation can reframe an artist’s legacy.
– Dafoe’s ongoing collaboration with Kent Jones and Samy Burch positions Late Fame as a potential highlight for audiences interested in literary-adaptation storytelling and intimate NYC-set dramas.
– The narrative’s interwoven structure offers opportunities for strong performances across a tight ensemble, particularly in the dynamic between Ed Saxberger, Meyers, and Gloria.
Summary: Late Fame centers on a once-overlooked poet whose return to the spotlight reignites questions about fame, memory, and the connections between generations, all set against a vividly imagined New York that blends the city’s present with its fading past. A hopeful note is struck by the idea that art can outlive its author and find fresh meaning through renewed, intergenerational dialogue. negative sentiment: none