Timothée Chalamet discussed how playing Bob Dylan has influenced his own experience with fame and activism at the Berlin Film Festival.
During press conference on Friday, Chalamet was asked about how Dylan influenced his own political beliefs. Though he didn’t give straightforward answer, Chalamet said: “I think it’s in the nature of his music, the warnings against cult-like figures. My interpretation is “just be wary of any savior-like figures … Anyone who says they have a solution, be wary. That’s also the message of Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune.'”
Based on the book “Dylan Goes Electric” by Elijah Wald, A Complete Unknown tracks Dylan’s rise as an artist leading up to his infamous set at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, during which he performed live with electric instruments for the first time.
The film also stars Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo (based on Dylan’s former girlfriend Suze Rotolo), Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash.
My Oscar Book:
A Complete Unknown: 8 Oscar Nominations
In addition to Chalamet’s Oscar nomination (his second Best Actor nod in 7 years), the film is also nominated for best picture, director for Mangold, Norton for supporting actor, Barbaro for supporting actress, adapted screenplay, costume design and sound.
With eight Academy Award nominations, there’s been plenty of buzz around the Bob Dylan biopic.
Chalamet was Rolling Stone’s December cover star, and he discussed preparing for the role of Dylan: “I related to the feeling that my talent could be my talent. I could draw the picture of unconventional upbringing. I grew up in arts housing, Manhattan Plaza, which is funky way to grow up. I could try to paint it negatively to you. I could try to paint it positively, but it’s a bit of everything. It’s nuanced.”
A Complete Unknown (Original Movie Soundtrack)
Chalamet sings the songs performed in the film, and his renditions were released as a soundtrack, including on vinyl.
A chameleon actor, Chalamet is known for his abilities to modulate the specific physical attributes, manners and gestures of each of his on-screen characters. Here, as the critic David Fear put it, “the blend of hard-shell cockiness and soft-underbelly sensitivity.”
Chalamet: Down to Tank Top in Freezing Berlin Cold, Brings Kylie
It is a very cold February night in Berlin. As the snow falls and attendees bundle up, Timothée Chalamet, walking the red carpet for screening of A Complete Unknown, looks unbothered.
Chalamet is taking another big fashion swing by wearing a cotton candy pink hoodie designed by Chrome Hearts along with pink sweatpants and pink shoes. All his fans (many girls) scream and tremble as he takes selfies with him.
Chalamet, 29, reminds the crowd that he’s a movie star. He strips off the hoodie and stands in the freezing cold in a matching pink tank top. The crowd goes even wilder, and the entire scene is electric, capping off one of the most joyous campaigns in Oscar history.
This award season has becom sour — between an ugly social media scandal involving the star of “Emilia Perez,” and mudslinging about use of artificial intelligence in “The Brutalist” and the lack of intimacy coordinators on “Anora.”
Chalamet, on the other hand, seems to be running an Oscar campaign set in a totally different universe. While most of his peers have spent the voting period gladhanding Academy members in Los Angeles, he’s here in Germany, meeting his fans. Promoting his role as Bob Dylan, he’s infused his promotional tour with a typical optimism.
