"I don't think that I play negative characters. They are more unconventional. Outsiders have always interested me. The way they see the world questions the way we see it," were the opening words of Willem Dafoe, who has just received a Crystal Globe for outstanding contribution to world cinema, at the press conference. He also told the journalists why he prefers small, personal films and why he loves to work with Lars von Trier: "It is always exciting and challenging."
Questions were also asked about the comic adaptations Spider-Man and Justice League, but the greatest focus was on the film that the American star is to present at the Outdoor Cinema at 23:00 tonight, The Last Temptation of Christ (1988). "Back then it never occurred to me that the role was a controversial one. It was an offer from Martin Scorsese, and it sounded good. I found it strange that he would want to cast me as Jesus, but after reading the screenplay I understood what he wanted and that, essentially, his Jesus was to be working-class. He gave me very few instructions prior to filming - I was merely to watch Pasolini's film The Gospel According to Matthew," related the actor, who yesterday at the Karlovy Vary festival presented the film Pasolini, in which he himself starred as the famous Italian filmmaker.
At the press conference Dafoe also recalled working with Michael Cimino, who passed away on Saturday: "We were not close friends. He actually fired me from the filming of Heaven's Gate, but I never held it against him. Cimino was very demanding, but that sometimes made him a great filmmaker. It's sad that he was constantly being punished for Heaven's Gate not being a success, when actually some consider it an excellent film."
