Hollywood icon Matt Dillon, celebrated for his roles as a rebel, antihero, and star, will be a special guest at this year’s Thessaloniki Film Festival. Known for his versatility in American cinema, Dillon will present Being Maria (2024), directed by Jessica Palud, in which he portrays Marlon Brando during the making of Last Tango in Paris. This emotionally charged film centers on actress Maria Schneider’s life, highlighting the exploitation she endured. The screening is set for Sunday, November 3, at the Olympion Theater.

On November 4, Dillon will receive the Golden Alexander award from the festival for his distinguished contributions, followed by a special screening of City of Ghosts (2002), his acclaimed directorial debut. Additionally, he stars in Interfears (2023) by Jesper Just, which explores an actor’s mind in a unique fMRI-based visual installation at MOMus Experimental Center of Arts.

A revered actor, Dillon has been praised by film critic Roger Ebert as the “finest actor of his generation” and has collaborated with visionary directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Gus Van Sant, and Wes Anderson. His roles in Crash, Drugstore Cowboy, The House That Jack Built, and Asteroid City continue to be celebrated, embodying his dedication to both mainstream and independent cinema.