Willem Dafoe: ‘They Want Me to Do This?’ on His Most Eccentric Role

by

The Tale of Ochi” stands out as one of Willem Dafoe’s most unconventional performances. He noted that it differed significantly from anything he had tackled before, yet his past roles served as inspiration and gave his portrayal a distinctive quality.

Willem Dafoe initially felt surprised when he was offered the role, but he embraced it as something unique; portraying unconventional characters is now his forte. As he put it, “I picked up the script and thought, ‘Wow, they want me for this?’ It’s unlike anything I’ve done before.” The movie, titled “The Legend of Ochi“, centers around Yuri (played by Helena Zengel), who is on a mission to return a hurt animal to its family. Her father Maxim (Dafoe) finds her plan foolish, but the story follows Yuri’s growth in a manner similar to films like “Super 8” and “E.T.“.

Just as anticipated, Dafoe delivers his dialogue with a heavy weight of importance. Maxim bears a resemblance to one of Dafoe’s earlier characters. “[Maxim is] somewhat pompous, and yet you empathize with him because he’s like an eccentric scout leader,” he explained. “He shares a likeness with Klaus from The Life Aquatic, as both characters grapple with the tension between their public persona and their true selves. [Thus] he communicates through music, through gestures. Those subtle touches of song… It fits his character well, since it adds depth and authenticity.” Dafoe also revealed an unexpected influence for his portrayal: the year 2019.

‘A Good Costume Helps’

In my perspective as a film reviewer, I must say that donning the armor, reminiscent of Maxim’s in the trailer, surprisingly enhanced the acting experience. It was peculiar yet fascinating, a subtle detail that added authenticity to the character. Much like how dressing up for the chilling conditions in The Lighthouse taught me, when you’re cold, it’s already part of your role. You can’t feign being cold, so it takes care of itself. Moreover, you adopt a different speech pattern, harbor distinct thoughts, and perceive things differently.

Filming on location, particularly the outdoor scenes, was an unforgettable journey. I remember hiking up a mountain alongside these small Romanian children, and in that moment, it felt as if I were truly immersed in the scene. It’s as if the setting extends an invitation to step into the role and pretend, allowing you to become one with the character and the environment.

In a departure from his previous work, director Isaiah Saxon’s first film, “The Legend of Ochi,” is one of A24’s family-friendly productions that has garnered praise. During its screening at Sundance in January, it was likened to both “The Dark Crystal” and “The NeverEnding Story.” As Willem Dafoe stated, “It’s unlike anything I’ve done before – not just recently, but even going back.” Upon discovering Isaiah’s work and his company that specializes in artisanal, hands-on, low-tech effects, Dafoe was intrigued, believing it could create a unique world well-suited to the story.

In the tale of Ochi, real-world effects played a significant role, and the main character was brought to life using CGI and puppetry. As one might assume, manipulating a puppet could be challenging, but not according to Dafoe. “Surprisingly, it wasn’t,” he reminisced. “Since the six to seven individuals controlling the puppet channeled all their energy into it, so did . Furthermore, you receive the energy of everyone else acting in the scene with you, making it more captivating than one would initially expect.

The Legend of Ochi is now showing in theaters.

Read More

2025-04-21 06:02