Willem Dafoe made his Hollywood debut with his uncredited role in Heaven’s Gate in 1980 and since the actor has forged his brilliant cinematic career with his prowess. But ever wondered about the inspiration behind Dafoe’s cinematic journey? Dafoe gave us movies like The English Patient, Platoon, and of course, one of the best of his career, The Last Temptation of Christ. The actor’s introduction to art was, however, a Stanley Kubrick film that defined the cinematic brilliance of the legendary director.
Willem Dafoe Revealed His Introduction To Art
Willem Dafoe in Kinds of Kindness (2024). Image Credit: Searchlight Pictures
Willem Dafoe has been doing some really good movies of late, especially joining hands with Yorgos Lanthimos starring in the director’s 2023 acclaimed sci-fi comedy Poor Things and the upcoming movie Kinds of Kindness alongside Emma Stone. During his promotional tour of Lanthimos’ highly anticipated movie, the actor spoke with Collider appearing in the interview alongside Stone where the duo discussed their favorite Kubrick movie. “2001, I remember distinctly seeing when I was a kid,” Dafoe said of Kubrick’s 1968 sci-fi epic 2001: A Space Odyssey. “And it was like it was like my introduction into art you know,” he added.
“I think this is important and it’s really special I don’t know what the it means but it’s pretty cool and how can you make something that doesn’t it doesn’t have a use you know that was my introduction to the beautiful use uselessness of art.”
2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the classics that has still been in prominence for the mastery of the director over the craft and how he transformed the narrative into modern sci-fi at a time when such a grand set was just a dream of many filmmakers. Obviously, the director who gave us A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, and Full Metal Jacket has continuously proved his genius and immaculate vision for the cinema with his crafty directorial style. So, it is no surprise that Kubrick was behind Dafoe’s introduction to art.
2001: A Space Odyssey— A Timeless Sci-Fi Masterpiece
A scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Image Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment
Stanley Kubrick’s take on Arthur C. Clarke’s story was close to perfection, if not perfect. The movie captured the essence of the grand narrative structure introducing a classic villain Heuristically Programmed Algorithmic Computer 9000, better known as HAL 9000. 2001: A Space Odyssey engraved with stunning visuals, thanks to cinematographers, Geoffrey Unsworth, and John Alcott who captured the finest details possible to complement the suspenseful story.
2001: A Space Odyssey is a masterclass, perhaps no one would deny that. The movie has inspired several filmmakers for decades of the director’s beautiful attempt at the space narrative that was released more than 55 years ago. Modern directors including Claire Denis, Darren Aronofsky, Terry Gilliam, Edgar Wright, David Fincher, Alfonso Cuarón, and Christopher Nolan adored the movie and admitted being inspired by the movie.
Several industry veterans including George Lucas, James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Scorsese also admitted the prowess of Kubrick having a great inspiration in their cinematic career as renowned directors.
Kinds of Kindness is set to release on 21 June 2024
Stream 2001: A Space Odyssey on Max.
