Willem Dafoe joins the cast in Olmo Schnabel's directorial debut 'Pet Shop Boys' exploring the underbelly of New York

Willem Dafoe, a name synonymous with cinematic prowess, joins an illustrious cast in filmmaker Olmo Schnabel's much-awaited directorial debut, 'Pet Shop Boys'. This romantic thriller, exploring the intriguing underbelly of New York, marks the first time Schnabel, son of Oscar-nominated director Julian Schnabel, steps behind the camera, Variety reported.

Dafoe and Sarsgaard Hop Aboard Olmo's Debut

'Pet Shop Boys' orbits around the tumultuous affair between Alejandro (Dario Yazebek Bernal) and pet store employee Jack (Jack Irv), a journey that descends them into a vortex of vice. Lending gravitas to the film, alongside fresh talent, are seasoned performers: the four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe and Peter Sarsgaard.

Reflecting on the film, Schnabel expressed his awe and gratitude, saying, "Someone once said ‘If you can’t surprise yourself, how can you expect to surprise anyone else,’ and I am absolutely surprised. This film always seemed like an impossibility..." He noted the remarkable collaboration with the talented cast and crew, resulting in a film born out of love and dedication.

A "Knowing Portrait" of Young New York

'Pet Shop Boys' comes to life under a host of skilled producers, including Francesco Melzi d’Eril and Gabriele Moratti of MeMo Films and Alex Coco. They all fell head over heels for Schnabel's project, lauding it as a "knowing portrait" of young New York City denizens.

D’Eril particularly praised Schnabel's unique lived experience and sensibility, adding, "I enthusiastically decided with my partner, Gabriele, to come on board. Working with this amazing group of talented young professionals was so stimulating and fun."

With Olmo Schnabel's unique directorial vision and the dynamism of stars like Willem Dafoe, 'Pet Shop Boys' is shaping up to be a film that could potentially resonate with a generation while bringing a fresh lens on young, urban life in New York City.

Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.