Willem Dafoe Joins Dark Comedy ‘The Souffleur’ in Surreal, Absurd Journey of Hotel Collapse

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Actor Willem Dafoe has agreed to appear in the upcoming English-language dark comedy “The Souffleur,” helmed by emerging Argentinian director Gastón Solnicki. Sales company Magnify has secured global distribution rights for the film, excluding Austria, prior to the Cannes Film Market. EbMaster has been granted early viewing privileges of the movie’s first-look image (see below), which is currently being finalized during post-production.

In the film, “The Souffleur,” played by Dafoe, is a long-time hotelier of Vienna’s InterContinental Hotel. Upon discovering that his beloved establishment is set to be sold to an Argentine developer intent on tearing it down and rebuilding from scratch, he embarks on a personal crusade against the new proprietor. The storyline describes him as spiraling into increasing irrationality, with his distressing mental decline becoming evident in the hotel’s condition — pipes clogging up, clocks malfunctioning, and his signature soufflés failing to rise properly. The film was shot on location at Vienna’s InterContinental Hotel.

Tom Dafoe is joined by Solnicki, new actress Lilly Senn, Stephanie Argerich, and Claus Philipp in this production. The experienced team behind the scenes includes Rui Poças, who was the cinematographer for Miguel Gomes’ “Grand Tour,” which premiered at Cannes last year and received the Best Director award.

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In the cast, you’ll find Tom Dafoe along with Solnicki, newcomer Lilly Senn, Stephanie Argerich, and Claus Philipp. The skilled crew behind the scenes includes Rui Poças, who worked as a cinematographer for Miguel Gomes’ “Grand Tour,” which was shown at Cannes last year and won the Best Director prize.

The film titled ‘The Souffleur’ is a production by Gabriele Kranzelbinder and Paolo Calamita (known for ‘Museum Hours’), and it is being produced by Vienna-based Little Magnet Films and KGP Filmproduktion, as well as Eugenio Fernández Abril from Primo (‘Peter Hujar’s Day’) and Solnicki from Filmy Wiktora.”

Or more casually:
“Gabriele Kranzelbinder and Paolo Calamita (the ‘Museum Hours’ team) are producing a film called ‘The Souffleur’. This production is also backed by Little Magnet Films and KGP Filmproduktion from Vienna, along with Eugenio Fernández Abril from Primo (‘Peter Hujar’s Day’) and Solnicki from Filmy Wiktora.

Austin Kennedy, Magnify’s head of sales, praises “The Souffleur” as an imaginative and amusing movie starring Willem Dafoe in the title role. The plot combines humor with relevant themes about societal and class hierarchy, evolution, and modernity, creating a unique piece that is both endearing and comically appealing. This film, directed by Solnicki, represents his most daring project yet, offering a complex and multi-layered story that expands the boundaries of his narrative skills.

Solnicki’s debut narrative film, “Kékszakállú,” made its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in the Horizons section and received the FIPRESCI prize for the best film. The story revolves around a group of Argentine teenage girls who are uncertain about their future. This movie was highly commended by Scott Tobias from EbMaster, who described it as a “stunning experimental narrative” that demonstrated the director’s exceptional skill and creativity.

In addition to his debut, “Introduzione all’Oscuro,” which had its world premiere outside of competition at Venice, and his latest work, “A Little Love Package,” premiered at the Berlinale in Encounters, Solnicki’s films have graced various other festivals such as New York, Rotterdam, Viennale, Toronto, Vancouver, Karlovy Vary, and Jeonju. Furthermore, he has been honored with invitations to serve on the official juries at Venice, Karlovy Vary, and Wroclaw film festivals.

Before attending the Venice Gap-Financing Market last summer, Solnicki shared with EbMaster the origin of his movie “The Souffleur.” The concept for the film was born from an unusual and disappointing incident at a Buenos Aires restaurant, where he was unexpectedly served a soufflé in a dismal manner.

The director, who had a culinary background rooted in his youth and was schooled under a rigorous French military-style training, found it challenging to conceal his displeasure towards the renowned baked dish. “This isn’t merely a matter of sticking to a recipe,” he explained. “It’s more about expressing love and faith.

The Souffleur” – a production featuring themes of surrealism and humor reminiscent of Luis Buñuel’s works, explores the concept of figurative breakdown. This breakdown encompasses both the imminent destruction of a structure and the deflation of a dish that has lost its fluffiness, as well as the deterioration of an individual, portrayed by Dafoe.

Solnicki found collaborating with the actor to be “among the most creatively challenging and cooperative experiences of my career.” He went on to say, “Willem and I pulled each other through the mud. We grew stronger after a fruitful struggle – our realms harmonized in unanticipated and thrilling ways. Together we produced a film that feels deeply personal yet strikingly alive.

Dafoe is represented by WME, Circle Management, and Production. He’s currently involved in the production of Jennifer Peedom’s “Tenzing” and has recently completed filming for Kent Jones’ “Late Fame.” Additionally, he serves as the artistic director of the theater department at La Biennale di Venezia, overseeing its 53rd Theater Festival. Future projects include Nadia Latif’s “Man in My Basement,” Miguel Angel Jimenéz’s “The Birthday Party,” and Patricia Arquette’s “Gonzo Girl.

Magnify’s impressive collection boasts titles such as “The Blood Countess,” directed by Ulrike Ottinger and featuring Isabelle Huppert, as well as “Filipinana,” the debut feature of Rafael Manuel in collaboration with Film4. Additionally, it includes “The Botanist,” a winning entry from Berlin Generation, helmed by emerging director Jing Yi.

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2025-05-01 16:47