Willem Dafoe | ZFF Masters 2026

Willem Dafoe opened the 22nd Zurich Film Festival at the Kongresshaus with his new film, TENZING, portraying Colonel John Hunt. In this ZFF Masters, he shares his early acting days in his theatre group, what drives him when it comes to choosing roles, and how the key to his successful acting is actually rooted in reality. For decades, American actor Willem Dafoe has been one of Hollywood's most versatile and multifaceted actors, equally at home in both blockbuster and arthouse cinema. Through his collaborations with directors such as David Lynch, Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Robert Eggers, he has established a reputation as one of the most influential actors in international auteur cinema.

Cover Photo: Jonas Wiemann