Kinds of Kindness, Willem Dafoe in Milan for the preview of Lanthimos’ new film

Stop everyone, it’s there Willem Dafoe. The actor is the absolute protagonist of the Milanese preview of Kinds of Kindnessthe new film by Yorgos Lanthimos presented at the last Cannes Film Festival e released in Italian cinemas on June 6th. A union, the one between Dafoe and the Greek director, who is renewed and completed with the presence of Emma Stonerecreating the lucky trio of the acclaimed Poor Creatures!. Dafoe was welcomed to the Milanese premiere by a large number of journalists, from whom the American actor did not shy away from asking a few quick questions. The former Goblin talks about the Greek director’s film, and when asked three adjectives to describe it he replies: «I could never. It’s an absurd black comedy. They’re not adjectives, but if you want a description this is what we did.” Before the screening of the film other stars walked the red carpet of the Antaeus cinema of Milan, one of the first was Bruno Barbieri, which confirmed the high expectations for the film. In addition to the starred chef, among the many present also Antonella Fiordelisirecent protagonist of Beijing Express, the actors Claudio Bisio and Fabrizio Biggiobut also personalities from the world of music, including Benji And Dardust.

Willem Dafoe he was welcomed into the room by very long applause and presented the film to the guests present in the audience. He and Emma Stone are now Lanthimos’ fetish actorsgathered into one new cinematic adventure: «The first time we worked together for Poor Cretaure! and it’s fantastic. Yorgos is a source of inspiration for me and I love being in his company. He has a very pragmatic and physical approach and makes you do very fun things »says Dafoe, who also praises Emma Stone: «She’s truly extraordinary. On the one hand she knows how to let herself go, on the other she has a great acting technique. Most actors have one or the other characteristic, not both.” For Lanthimos it is a return to the originsto his first provocative films, and somehow Willem tells us this: «You will soon discover that the title of Kind of Kindness it’s ironic. It’s not my job to tell you what to expect, it’s your job! On the other hand, we try to offer you something, but we cannot know how your mind works.” As for provocations, those of Lanthimos most often concern society, but this film tells many other thingsas the protagonist himself suggests: «The film is full of many themes and when watching it people will notice many different things. Here the absurd is taken to its most extreme limits. I believe that Lanthimos doesn’t do it out of perversion, but because in doing so, by surprising the audience, he puts us in a position where we begin to think differently than what we see on the screen». After this last consideration Willem Dafoe took his leave pleasantly, clarifying what was the only important thing to do: “Let’s not talk too much, there’s a film to watch.”

Bruno Barbieri

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