Cinema

The actor maintains an intense interpretative duel with Robert Pattinson in the fantastic drama 'The Lighthouse'

Throughout his career, Willem Dafoe (Appleton, Wisconsin, 1955) has been Jesus of Nazareth, Pasolini, Van Gogh, villain of superhero movies, hero in several dramas and usual face of Lars von Trier's cinema ... Now , this actor takes on the challenge of starring, along with Robert Pattinson, The Lighthouse . Filmed in black and white, the film directed by Robert Eggers ( The Witch ) tells a story set in the late nineteenth century on an island in New England that mixes mysticism and fantasy to tell the claustrophobic relationship between a young man (Pattinson) who comes to work in a lighthouse and an expert and grumpy supervisor (Dafoe).

'The Lighthouse' Trailer

What attracted you to, after seeing The Witch , wanting to get under Robert Eggers? I saw her without having read anything before. I thought it was a beautiful, articulate, well-made film that, with it, Robert had created an accessible and mysterious world with a beautiful audiovisual language. I was curious to meet him. Has something ever happened to you again? Sometimes. For me it is natural that, if I like a movie, I wonder what will be the next thing the director does. Especially with young filmmakers. I like working with all types of filmmakers but I think it is important to stay alert with young talents so as not to always do the same. What did you think of the script of El faro ? Their dialogues are not so easy to follow ... It is very unusual to read something that uses such a poetic language mixed with beautiful images. But he knew that Robert would be able to create that world he described and wanted to live in it. I got the idea that there are only two protagonists. At 64, I want to continue doing interesting things that challenge me, as this case has been. In addition, the adventure of shooting in a lighthouse, in the middle of nature, interested me. As I read the script I also knew that I would have to learn to speak with an accent ... and let me grow the longest beard I have ever had and wear dentures. Do you need to have something in common with your characters or can you interpret anything? It is the job of every actor. In theory we all keep a multitude of personalities within us. What I can not interpret? The characters reveal themselves through actions and how we see them. Could you play a sumo wrestler? Yes, I would need help ... but yes (laughs). Was Robert Eggers very meticulous when creating the characters? Yes, he did all the work. He is a great researcher and he loves these stories. Me too, but he had a lot of material and gave me everything I needed to create my character. But you can only prepare a part, because everything changes when you put on your clothes, your teeth, you start saying your dialogues, working with the other actor ... Research helps the imagination and change some preconceived concepts. And I think movies do that also in the viewer, by reminding you of things or lessons that you had forgotten. I find it embarrassing, but I love movies that make you think you should be a better person.

Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, next to the lighthouse that gives title to the film.

How would you describe this shoot? Tiring but fun. It has been hard and I worried not to get sick. For example, in one scene, Robert Pattinson goes in search of the boat and I follow him. It was complicated because it was raining, it was cold and the scene included moments of action. We were trembling and hugging each other so as not to cool down. It was hard but situations like that challenge you, create union and make you go further. There is a scene where Robert Pattinson buries you, throwing mud in your face in the foreground, which is very uncomfortable to see ... Yes, that was a miserable moment (laughs). It is a very cool sequence. I knew it before rolling it. It is very visceral and real, so much that there was no need to act. I had a speech that was not long but very difficult due to language, while everything else happens. I was cold, I was shaking and not knowing where each mud shovel that I was thrown into my face would fall. Things came into my mouth, I was worried about breathing ... But, in the end, it came out (laughs). However, the craziest thing about that scene is that we shot it on the second day. Being such an immersive shoot, were you able to disconnect from the character? He was very immersive and invited to stay in the character. We worked every day and had little free time, but it was the best. We stayed in a fisherman's cabin, close to the filming location, so when I wasn't shooting, I dedicated myself to making fire, cooking and little else. It was not a matter of method but of being practical. It was fun to live that life for a while. Because of your characters, does it often happen to you that the audience is surprised to meet you? Not so much lately. When I was younger, yes. About 20 years ago it happened to me because the public saw me through certain characters, although it depended on the cinephile culture they had. If they only watched commercial cinema, at that time it used to be the villain. But anyone who knows my filmography knows that he has seen me in every way.

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