Willem Dafoe Shines in Poetic Vienna Hotel Drama The Souffleur

Willem Dafoe stars in a new film premiering at the Venice Film Festival. The movie is titled The Souffleur. It is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Gastón Solnicki. The story is set in a grand Viennese hotel.

Dafoe plays Lucius, the hotel’s long-time manager. He faces the end of an era as new ownership takes over. The film is noted for its elegiac tone and artistic style.

A Magnetic Performance Anchors The Fragments

The Souffleur is a character study held together by Dafoe’s compelling performance. He brings a natural and accessible presence to the role. His character, Lucius, has managed the Hotel Intercontinental Vienna for two decades.

He views the hotel as his home and is saddened to leave. The film follows him through his final days there. According to reviews from Venice, Dafoe’s performance provides crucial ballast.

The film’s structure is built from fragments and isolated scenes. It does not follow a traditional narrative path. This artistic choice is a signature of director Gastón Solnicki.

Blending The Past And Present With Visual Grace

The movie weaves in black-and-white archival footage of the hotel. These scenes show its construction and glamorous history. This blends the past with the present-day story beautifully.

Cinematography by Rui Poças is visually stunning. Outdoor scenes are artfully composed, like a glistening puddle at night. The camera often remains still as people move through the frame.

The supporting cast includes Lilly Lindner as Lucius’s daughter. Director Gastón Solnicki also appears as the new hotel owner. Their interactions add depth to Lucius’s world.

Thought you’d like to know

What is The Souffleur about?

The film follows a hotel manager in Vienna facing a change in ownership. Willem Dafoe plays the manager, Lucius. It is a poetic story about endings and new beginnings.

Who directed The Souffleur?

The film was directed by Gastón Solnicki. He is an Argentinian filmmaker known for his artistically daring and non-traditional narratives. His previous work won awards at Venice.

How long is the film?

The Souffleur has a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It is a concise, small-scale feature film. It premiered in the Horizons section of the Venice Film Festival.

What is the tone of the movie?

The tone is described as elegiac and wistful. It has a down-to-earth quality thanks to Dafoe’s performance. The style is impressionistic and fragmented.

Does the film use real locations?

Yes, it is set at the real Hotel Intercontinental Vienna. The film incorporates archival footage of the hotel’s history. This blends the real world with the fictional story.