LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Willem Dafoe enjoys working with a filmmaker, he’ll often jump at the chance to do it again.
The list of directors with whom the 69-year-old has worked with more than once is extensive, including Wes Anderson,Yorgos Lanthimos,Paul Schrader,Lars von Trier and, now for a third time, Robert Eggers. “If it’s good, you come back,” Dafoe said plainly.
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Willem Dafoe, from left, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Robert Eggers, Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Scarsgard, and Nicholas Hoult arrive at the premiere of "Nosferatu" on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Robert Eggers arrives at the premiere of "Nosferatu" on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
This image released by Focus Features shows director Robert Eggers on the set of "Nosferatu." (Focus Features via AP)
This image released by Focus Features shows Willem Dafoe in a scene from "Nosferatu." (Focus Features via AP)
Willem Dafoe, from left, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Robert Eggers, Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Scarsgard, and Nicholas Hoult arrive at the premiere of "Nosferatu" on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
This image released by Focus Features shows Willem Dafoe, left, and Lily-Rose Depp in a scene from "Nosferatu." (Focus Features via AP)
This image released by Focus Features shows Willem Dafoe in a scene from "Nosferatu." (Focus Features via AP)
Willem Dafoe arrives at the premiere of "Nosferatu" on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
The pair spoke with The Associated Press about Eggers’ adaptation of “Nosferatu” that hits theaters Wednesday, some of the challenges they faced making “The Lighthouse” — their first project together released in 2019 — and the unique relationship that exists between actors and directors.
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
DAFOE: I want to meet you and I want to know who this filmmaker is.
DAFOE: Well, if it’s good, you come back. When I saw “The Witch,” I thought, “Wow, this is a film about a period that I’m not particularly knowledgeable about, but I enter it so easily. This is relevant. It’s rooted. It’s my story. I’m with these people.”
That’s quite an incredible trick because a lot of period films, they’re always pointing to themselves. They’re always sending messages. They’re always showing. This had a kind of energy and the kind of physicality and sensuality that I thought, “Who does this? I gotta see this guy.” And then I had a wonderful experience in “The Lighthouse” and I played a part that was really fun in “The Northman.” So, when he wants to do this passion project and offers me this beautiful role of Professor Von Franz, I say, “Of course.”
EGGERS: Yeah, I mean, I don’t see how you could have anyone else but Willem Dafoe in this role.
EGGERS: That’s pretty tough. But since you might ask about it, I do love “Shadow of the Vampire,” where he plays Max Schreck. When I first saw “Nosferatu” as a 9-year-old, the VHS I had was made from a degraded 16-millimeter print and there was a kind of magic to it because it felt unearthed from the past and it felt, like, real. And when you watch the restored versions of “Nosferatu,” you can see Max Schreck’s bald cap and the greasepaint of his makeup. But in the version that I saw, he seemed like a real vampire, and that’s how a lot of people experienced “Nosferatu.” And so there was a legend that Max Schreck was a real vampire. And so, Willem Dafoe, in “Shadow of the Vampire,” plays Max Schreck as a real vampire. And it is an incredible performance.
EGGERS: It takes time to build trust for sure. But that instinct for me actually was really that first meeting. I was kind of blown away that one of my heroes wanted to meet with me. But then the conversation became really easy, quickly. And now I kind of know when I’m having a meeting with an actor, if it goes like that, there’s a good thing here, you know? And if I’m very aware of like their celebrity and it becomes like a thing, it’s not going to go well.
DAFOE: We had a lot in common. There was a language he spoke about performing, about creating things. I understood it. I thought, “I’m home,” you know? And as far as the trust, there’s always unforeseen challenges and difficulties. And then you see how they field them, and that’s how you build trust. So clearly, something like “The Lighthouse” had its challenges. Thank God. I love a challenge. Otherwise, you tend to, you know, lose your way or think outside of the frame too much. And look, he’s a nice, sweet guy, but he’s really concentrated. And I like that. That kind of discipline, that kind of passion. It makes my work that I do valuable because then I want to do his bidding. I want to, you know, be an extension of him.
(Both laugh)
DAFOE: I would say a scene where I’m buried alive, I’m speaking poetic language, and it’s really cold, cold, cold. But you know what? All those elements I love because they push me to a place that I’ve never been before. And it’s not just about overcoming obstacles. It’s really about getting outside of yourself and getting beyond your experience and having something happen to you that’s meaningful and curious and taps into a sense of wonder. That’s what you’re looking for. So sometimes you’ve got to push it. And he’s responsible. It’s not like he beats me up or anything. But that’s a good example of something that’s tough.
EGGERS: Yeah. I mean, I think Willem is not in it for the Oscars but he certainly deserves one for sure.
Robert Eggers arrives at the premiere of "Nosferatu" on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
This image released by Focus Features shows director Robert Eggers on the set of "Nosferatu." (Focus Features via AP)
This image released by Focus Features shows Willem Dafoe in a scene from "Nosferatu." (Focus Features via AP)
Willem Dafoe, from left, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Robert Eggers, Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Scarsgard, and Nicholas Hoult arrive at the premiere of "Nosferatu" on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
This image released by Focus Features shows Willem Dafoe, left, and Lily-Rose Depp in a scene from "Nosferatu." (Focus Features via AP)
This image released by Focus Features shows Willem Dafoe in a scene from "Nosferatu." (Focus Features via AP)
Willem Dafoe arrives at the premiere of "Nosferatu" on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — Persistent high surf and flooding threats along California’s coast had residents on high alert a day after a major storm was blamed for one man’s death and the partial collapse of a pier, which propelled three people into the Pacific Ocean.
And two other men remained missing Tuesday, one of them presumed dead, after being swept out to sea in central California, while the U.S. Coast Guard in the Los Angeles area searched for two others after their boat was found overturned earlier in the day.
The National Weather Service on Christmas Eve warned of dangerous, large-breaking waves of up to 35 feet (10.7 meters). Its latest high surf warning expired at 6 p.m.
“Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties and beaches,” the weather service said in a Christmas Eve bulletin.
In Santa Cruz, where a municipal wharf under construction partially collapsed on Monday, most beaches were cordoned off as they were inundated with high surf and debris.
Residents received an alert on their phones Tuesday morning notifying them to “avoid all beaches including coastal overlook areas such as rocks, jetties or cliffs.” It warned powerful waves could sweep entire beaches unexpectedly.
Local officials said there could be further damage to the wharf, but no more pieces broke off overnight.
The wharf collapsed and fell into the ocean midday Monday, taking three people with it. Two people were rescued by lifeguards and a third swam to safety. No one was seriously injured.
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley said in the weeks and months ahead officials will have to assess long-term solutions for protecting the coastal city from the impacts of climate change.
“Hallelujah that no one was hurt in this, which could have been orders of magnitude worse in terms of any injuries to human beings and damage to property onshore and offshore,” he said at a media briefing Tuesday.
“But I think we have somewhat of a question mark as we move through time,” he added. “And I don't think we're by ourselves. I think this is what coastal communities around the world are probably dealing with.”
The structure was in the middle of a $4 million renovation following destructive storms last winter about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of San Francisco.
“It’s a catastrophe for those down at the end of the wharf,” said David Johnston, who was allowed onto the pier on Monday to check on his business, Venture Quest Kayaking.
Tony Elliot, the head of the Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department, estimated that about 150 feet (45 meters) of the end of the wharf fell into the water. It was immediately evacuated and will remain closed indefinitely.
Some of the wharf’s pilings are still in the ocean and remain “serious, serious hazards” to boats, the mayor said. Each piling weighs hundreds of pounds and is being pushed by powerful waves.
“You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water,” the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office said on the social platform X.
Building inspectors were looking at the rest of the pier’s structural integrity.
Some California cities ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon as forecasters warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day.
In Watsonville along the Monterey Bay, first responders were called to Sunset State Beach, a state park, around 11:30 a.m. Monday for a report of a man trapped under debris. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office believes a large wave pinned him there. The man was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The storm’s high surf also likely pulled another man into the Pacific Ocean around noon Monday at Marina State Beach, nearly 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of Watsonville, authorities said. Strong currents and high waves forced searchers to abandon their efforts roughly two hours later as conditions worsened. The man remained missing Monday evening.
Further south in Carmel Bay, a man remained missing as of Tuesday afternoon after reports that someone was swept off the rocks into the ocean at Pebble Beach on Monday, local emergency responders said. The Coast Guard will "transition to a recovery search as ocean conditions improve in the coming days,” officials said in a statement. The ocean's rough conditions mean the man is presumed dead.
Off the coast of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, south of Los Angeles, the Coast Guard searched for two people Tuesday after their vessel was found overturned. They had previously been reported overdue from their trip when the boat was discovered.
Dazio reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Sophie Austin in Sacramento and Jaimie Ding in Los Angeles contributed.
The damaged Santa Cruz Wharf is seen after a section of the pier fell into the ocean during high surf the previous day, in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Recovery crews pump water from a semi-submerged boat in Santa Cruz Harbor after it was damaged during high surf in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (Santa Cruz/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
The damaged Santa Cruz Wharf is seen after a section of the pier fell into the ocean during high surf the previous day, in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Caution tape hangs near the entrance of the closed Santa Cruz Wharf after a section of the wharf collapsed into the Pacific Ocean amidst heavy surf Monday in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A section of the Santa Cruz Wharf that collapsed into the Pacific Ocean floats at a nearby beach amidst heavy surf in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Two surfers walk along the beach as waves crash in Seal Beach, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Waves crash past a pier in Ventura, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Jeff Parker, wearing a Santa Claus hat, watches as a surfer rides a wave in Seal Beach, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A surfer rides a large wave at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Visitors walk along the beach as high surf comes in Ventura, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Birds fly past the Hermosa Beach Pier as storm surf pounds the beach on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 in Manhattan Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
People brave the rain and walk along the Manhattan Beach Pier to watch high surf on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 in Manhattan Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
People stand at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier and watch high surf pound the pylons on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 in Manhattan Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
People pump water out of a boat in Santa Cruz Harbor in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A damaged dock piling is pulled out of Santa Cruz Harbor in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Overturned boats are shown in Santa Cruz Harbor in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A man walks by overturned boats in Santa Cruz Harbor in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Trash and damaged boat parts float through Santa Cruz Harbor in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Remnants of a bathroom that fell off the wharf are seen at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Remnants of a bathroom that fell off the wharf are seen at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Remnants of a bathroom that fell off the wharf are seen at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Remnants of a bathroom that fell off the wharf are seen at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Remnants of a bathroom that fell off the wharf are seen at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A building floats in the ocean after a wharf partially collapsed Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Santa Cruz, Calif. (Shmuel Thaler/The Santa Cruz Sentinel via AP)
Damage to the Santa Cruz Wharf is seen in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Damage to the Santa Cruz Wharf is seen in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Damage is seen on the end of Santa Cruz Wharf during high surf in Santa Cruz, Calif., Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A building floats in the ocean after a wharf partially collapsed Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Santa Cruz, Calif. (Shmuel Thaler/The Santa Cruz Sentinel via AP)
A building floats in the ocean after a wharf partially collapsed Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Santa Cruz, Calif. (Shmuel Thaler/The Santa Cruz Sentinel via AP)
A person takes a photo of high surf near the Santa Cruz Wharf in Santa Cruz, Calif., Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A security guard watches the entrance to the closed Santa Cruz Wharf in Santa Cruz, Calif., Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
