Timothée Chalamet opened up about his experience playing Bob Dylan in the film “A Complete Unknown” during a packed press conference at the Berlin Film Festival. The actor shared that he learned from the folk legend to be wary of savior-like figures and to approach political issues with caution.
Chalamet’s interpretation of Dylan’s music, particularly his warnings against cult-like figures, influenced his view on political issues like war and the rise of far-right movements. He compared this message to Frank Herbert’s “Dune” series, which also warns about the dangers of false messiahs.
When asked how playing Dylan affected him, Chalamet responded that he didn’t want to discuss it academically but rather acknowledged that his experience had changed him. He attributed this change to the intense pressure in Hollywood, where fans often expect celebrities to have a clear stance on social issues.
The actor also discussed his own experiences with fame, drawing parallels between his life and the scenes depicted in “Call Me by Your Name” and the Pennebaker documentary “Don’t Look Back.” Chalamet stated that he has learned to keep a low profile and maintain some distance from the public eye.
“A Complete Unknown” marks the German premiere of the film and is part of Chalamet’s Oscar campaign. He portrayed Dylan in the movie, which also stars Edward Norton as Pete Seeger and Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo (based on Dylan’s former girlfriend Suze Rotolo). The film has received critical acclaim and has been nominated for several awards, including Best Picture and Supporting Actor.
Chalamet concluded his remarks, stating that “this is the last word” on “A Complete Unknown,” indicating a desire to move on from discussing the film further.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/festivals/timothee-chalamet-bob-dylan-taught-be-wary-savior-like-figures-1236307237