Celebrity Sightings

That’s right! Even here in Milwaukee you can spot some of the most well-known and respected celebrities.

Today eyewitnesses caught a glimpse of Willem Dafoe parading around the east side all afternoon. I’ve also heard that Dafoe was spotted having a late lunch at Beans & Barley!

You may remember Dafoe from one or two of his 60 films – Spider-man, The English Patient, Finding Nemo, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Clear and Present Danger, The Boondock Saints, American Psycho and Platoon to name a few.

So what brings a movie star to our neck of the woods?

Dafoe is in town for the weekend to premiere several of his new indie films and to participate in the Milwaukee International Film Festival’s Willem Dafoe Tribute where Dafoe himself will introduce and lead several discussions before and after each film.

Check out the following flicks at the MIFF and you might have a chance to meet one of today's best Hollywood actors!

Shadow of the Vampire
Friday, Sept. 21, 7:15pm Oriental Theatre
UK/USA
2000 / 92 min.
Director: E. Elias Merhige
E. Elias Merhige’s acclaimed film Shadow of the Vampire, based on the idea that the lead actor from the famous F.W. Murnau film Nosferatu is actually a vampire, features Willem Dafoe’s shattering performance as the actor-vampire Max Schreck.
***Join Willem Dafoe for an extended discussion of his career in film at 7:15pm.

Anamorph
WORLD PREMIERE: Friday, Sept. 21, 9:30PM Oriental Theatre
USA
English
2007 / 100 Min.
Director: Henry Miller
Detective Stan Aubray (Willem Dafoe) becomes the pawn of a serial killer in this startling and complex crime thriller obsessed with the aesthetics and artistry of a serial murderer.
***Join director Henry Miller and Willem Dafoe before and after the film for a Q & A session.

The Last Temptation of Christ
Friday, Sept. 21, 3:30pm Oriental Theatre
USA
1988 / 164 min.
Director: Martin Scorsese
Willem Dafoe received worldwide accolades from the press and public for his utterly compelling portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed fictionalization of eternal spiritual conflict. 
***Join Willem Dafoe for an introduction before the film.

Stray Dog
(Nora Inu)
Saturday, Sept. 22, Noon Oriental Theatre
Japan
1949 / 122 min.
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Cited by Willem Dafoe as particularly inspirational to his acting craft, this Akira Kurosawa masterpiece features the charismatic and frenzied Toshiro Mifune as a young detective who searches for the pickpocket who stole his gun.
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Milwaukee International Film Festival
Willem Dafoe Tribute
At the Oriental Theatre
(Times vary)
$9 admission
For more information go here.

Comments

[Audra]

I knew I should go to Beans & Barley more often... !:-)

[Meg]

My friend was at Beans when Dafoe was there. She said everyone clearly knew who he was (there was a lot of whispering and subtle pointing), but no one was snapping photos or harassing him for autographs. which I'm sure he was okay with.

[Karen]

Yes, it's a shame. And I only live a block away.