The Venice Film Festival debuted the first clip of Late Fame, a new film directed by Kent Jones featuring acclaimed actors Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee. The film, which premieres in the Orizzonti sidebar, presents a whimsical yet poignant exploration of nostalgia and artistry against the backdrop of New York City.
In Late Fame, Dafoe portrays Ed Saxberger, a once-prominent New York poet whose artistic life has faded into obscurity. Now working in a post office, Saxberger’s life takes an unexpected turn when he is rediscovered by a group of young admirers longing for the vibrant downtown scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Lee plays Gloria, an older woman embraced by the group as their “tragic heroine.”
Exploring Themes of Nostalgia
The cast also features Edmund Donovan as the group’s leader, alongside Clay Singer, Luca Padovan, Jake Lacy, Tom Torn, and Clark Johnson, who contribute to the film’s rich tapestry of characters. The film’s narrative highlights the contrast between the vibrant past and the mundane present, inviting viewers to reflect on the nature of fame and artistic legacy.
A first clip reveals the moment Gloria meets Saxberger, sparking an immediate connection. As the story unfolds, Saxberger discovers that Gloria’s vibrant exterior conceals deeper, more complex layers. The film’s screenplay, crafted by Samy Burch, adapts the work of late Austrian writer Arthur Schnitzler, whose novel set in 1890s Vienna serves as a foundation for this contemporary exploration.
Director’s Vision and Production Details
Jones, known for his previous work on Diana (2019) and notable documentaries like Hitchcock/Truffaut (2015), expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “The very first time I read Samy’s script, so emotionally varied and knotty, so funny and so bracingly frank, the film started forming in my mind.” He emphasized the film’s exploration of contrasting New Yorks, one alive with artistic expression and the other marked by the passage of time.
Late Fame is produced by Killer Films in association with Fresh Fish Films, Working Barn Productions, Morning Moon Productions, and mk2 Films, which is also managing international sales. As the film gains traction at the Venice Film Festival, it stands poised to attract attention for its unique blend of humor, depth, and artistic commentary.