Willem Dafoe is set to return to Athens for the Greek premiere of The Birthday Party, a special open-air screening taking place as part of the 16th Athens Open Air Film Festival powered by PPC. The event will be held on Monday, May 18, at the Aigli Zappeiou summer cinema, starting at 20:30.
The film, directed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez, premiered at the Locarno Film Festival and is scheduled for release in Greek cinemas on July 2.
Set in the late 1970s in the Ionian Sea, the story unfolds on a private island owned by the powerful businessman Marcos Timoleon. The character is widely understood to be inspired by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. On this island, Timoleon hosts an extravagant birthday celebration for his daughter and sole heir, Sofia.
As guests arrive—friends, associates, and long-time acquaintances—many see the event as an opportunity to approach Timoleon and pursue their own interests. However, the host is not only observing but also secretly preparing a decisive plan concerning his daughter’s future, without necessarily seeking her approval.
Meanwhile, Sofia arrives at the island determined to reveal a truth that could disrupt the fragile balance among the guests. As the night unfolds, tensions escalate and the lavish celebration gradually transforms into an increasingly volatile gathering, leading to a dramatic confrontation between father and daughter.
The screenplay is co-written by director Miguel Ángel Jiménez alongside Giorgos Karnavas and Nikos Panagiotopoulos. According to author Panos Karnezis, the original inspiration for The Birthday Party stemmed from reading biographies of prominent figures such as Howard Hughes and Aristotle Onassis, raising questions about wealth, power, and the nature of truth in life stories.
The film features an international cast including Vic Carmen Sonne, Joe Cole, Emma Suárez, Christos Stergioglou, Antonis Tsiotsiopoulos, Elsa Lekakou, and Francesc Garrido.
