“The Birthday party”, interview with director Miguel Ángel Jiménez

From Locarno Piazza Grande to the italian premiere, out of competition, at the 43rd Torino Film festival, “The Birthday Party” marks Miguel Ángel Jiménez’s comeback at directing after “Window to the Sea” in 2019.

The film is based on Panos Karnezis’s book by the same title and it explores the complex dynamics of family and authority.

The Birthday Party and Its Exploration of Family Dynamics

“The Birthday Party” centers on a family under the shadow of a patriarch, played by Willem Dafoe,  whose control and tyranny create a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. The film vividly portrays how childhood trauma and unchecked authority can influence personal relationships. Through its compelling characters, the movie examines the often-troubled bonds that define family life, revealing the fine line between love and domination.

Miguel Ángel Jiménez says: “The Birthday Party is a film about power, legacy, love mistaken for possession, and the quiet violence within privilege – set on a paradise island that slowly reveals itself as a prison.”

Creating a Visual World That Reflects Paradise and Imprisonment

Set against the lush backdrop of Corfu, “The Birthday Party” uses its location to symbolize both paradise and confinement as it is confirmed by director Jiménez. The island’s jungle-like landscape, a microcosm, contrasts with the story’s darker themes of control and repression. The filmmaker intentionally shifted the visual tone from idyllic to oppressive, utilizing sound and cinematography to mirror this descent into a cage-like environment, heightening the audience’s emotional engagement with the narrative.

The Power of Casting

The film’s success is partly due to the outstanding performance of Willem Dafoe, whose portrayal adds layers of complexity to the patriarch’s character. His involvement allowed the director to inject nuance and authenticity into the role, emphasizing that even villains can be driven by motives rooted in love or trauma.

In his director’s notes, Miguel Ángel Jiménez writes: “This is an actors’ film. I tried to make sure my staging and the energy on set always served them. What a privilege it was to work with Willem Dafoe, sober and powerful, a master of stillness and presence. Watching him act is like looking at the sky, waiting for a shooting star. Even if he doesn’t move, something extraordinary always happens”.

Plot