Willem DAfoe in Athens for "Birthday Party" premiere

Upon his arrival at the "Eleftherios Venizelos" airport, Willem Dafoe was pleased to be recognized by several passersby and did not hesitate to ask for his autograph.

Willem Dafoe in Greece every...month

Next month, the famous actor will be in Greece again, as he will be "present" as one of the guests at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation's SNF Nostos, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

The movie

Set in the late 1970s in the Ionian Sea, The Birthday Party follows the story of Marcos Timoleon, a powerful businessman believed to be inspired by legendary Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. On his private island, Timoleon hosts a lavish birthday celebration for his daughter and sole heir, Sofia.

As friends, associates and influential guests arrive for the extravagant gathering, many view the celebration as an opportunity to strengthen ties with the wealthy patriarch and pursue their own ambitions. However, beneath the glamorous atmosphere, tensions quietly build as Timoleon secretly prepares a major decision about his daughter’s future.

 Sofia, meanwhile, arrives determined to reveal a truth that threatens to disrupt the delicate balance among the guests. As the evening unfolds, the luxurious celebration gradually spirals into emotional conflict and confrontation between father and daughter.

The screenplay was co-written by Jiménez alongside Giorgos Karnavas and Nikos Panagiotopoulos. According to author Panos Karnezis, the original inspiration for the film came from biographies of influential figures such as Howard Hughes and Aristotle Onassis, exploring themes of wealth, power and truth.

The film also stars Vic Carmen Sonne, Joe Cole, Emma Suárez, Christos Stergioglou, Antonis Tsiotsiopoulos, Elsa Lekakou and Francesc Garrido.

Dafoe’s appearance in Athens is expected to draw major attention from both film fans and the international media, adding another high-profile moment to this year’s Athens Open Air Film Festival.