Willem Dafoe Evades US Politics Questions at Sarajevo Film Festival

At the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival, actor Willem Dafoe declined to discuss current American politics when asked if he still believed the country was "not going in the right direction," a view he expressed during the early days of President Donald Trump's administration. He responded to the political question by saying, "If you know anything about me, and you do, that’s not a real question," before quickly moving on to other topics. Dafoe also reflected on his career, notably his role in Martin Scorsese’s "The Last Temptation of Christ," describing it as a beautiful and demanding role that explored the human side of Jesus. He noted that the film's controversy was largely fueled by the religious right and devolved into antisemitic accusations targeting Hollywood, despite many critics not having seen the movie. Throughout the masterclass, Dafoe emphasized his preference for embodying characters and working collaboratively rather than engaging in public political discourse. The festival also honored him with the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo award, celebrating his extensive contributions to film.