One day before participating in CCXP for the second time – the first was in 2023, to promote the film “Dune: Part 2” – actor Timothée Chalamet met some fans and press in a more “intimate” event on Thursday (4), at the BTG Pactual hall, in São Paulo. The 29-year-old American spoke, along with director Josh Safdie, about the movie “Marty Supreme,” the promotion of which is considered the reason for his coming to Brazil. Set to premiere in the country on January 22, the drama revolves around an ambitious young man, played by Timothy, who wants to become a big name in table tennis.
After the film’s first 30 minutes were shown, cutting off at the first moment of tension (which prompted minor complaints from the audience, it must be said), Chalamet appeared on stage dressed in bright yellow, with the Brazilian flag as a scarf around his neck. He was affectionate with the fans, and before sitting down he took a ticket from someone sitting in the front row.
Allen Diniz, who was in charge of moderating the conversation, quickly asked Timothy what was so special about Brazil that made it the country he chose to start the film’s promotional tour. He said without hesitation that the reason was the warm reception from audiences in 2023 and the passion of Brazilians for cinema.
– I was here a few years ago, at CCXP, and it was a great reception, as there is a vibrant community of cinephiles here. Brazilians are passionate about cinema, just like Marti (the protagonist) is passionate about film. So it seemed like a pretty obvious place to come. “It’s a great country, and a great place to start,” he replied.
Although this is his first time in Brazil, Josh Safdie (known for “Rough Jewels”) said he was inspired by two Brazilian films: “Pixote, the law of the weak” from 1980, and “City of God” from 2002.
Based on a true story
Set in the 1950s, Marty Supreme stars Chalamet as Marty Mauser, a table tennis phenom whose life is full of ups and downs when he starts competing. Produced by A24 and distributed by Diamond Films, the film is based on the true story of Marty Raisman, the award-winning table tennis player who became the oldest athlete to win a national championship.
Despite the questionable character – charismatic and sometimes funny, sometimes selfish and rude – the drama tells of the search for an impossible dream and how stubborn Marty is to achieve it. It is a metaphor for the ideal of the “American Dream.”
Table tennis is just a metaphor in the movie. His dream is unique. There is no amount of gold at the end of the tunnel, he just wants to be great and he won’t stop even if he gets a no. I love seeing how many new people are here, because when I was younger, dreaming was all I did. “And I think that was a part of me that Josh wanted to bring to the movie,” Timothy said.
When asked, the director said that he thought about the young actor for the role even before working on the script:
– When you choose an actor, you choose everything that the name suggests. When I met Timmy in 2017, I met a young man in the corner of the room. They said he would be a star. But he doesn’t seem present there. (I can see that) He had great ideas for himself. He was Timmy Supreme, and he had lofty ideas. I’ve met a star. “Call Me By Your Name” was released soon after and the interviews made me love him even more. “There was only him in my head,” he replied.
Among the athletes mentioned throughout the conversation – it must be said that names such as Brazilians Hugo Calderano and Gabriel Medina seemed delighted – Chalamet made it clear that there had been no research focusing on the life of Marty Raisman.
– (personality) combination. There was no specific search, but several things inspired me…different shows, films, music and sports – he said.
The film debuted at the New York Film Festival to critical acclaim in the professional press. Abroad, critics rated Timothy’s performance as “the best of his career”, considering it one of the bets in the fight for the 2026 Oscar.
Amidst these angry crowds, the American seemed like he wanted to present a lot of himself, which made him get lost in some responses and pass the ball to his stage partner from time to time. Chalamet reinforced the complicity between actor and director when he spoke about the freedom he gained during the recordings:
– I don’t think I’ve ever worked with someone who wanted such specific things for a film, but he gave him so much freedom. When I found Marty’s voice it was liberating, it made me believe in myself. After a few years in Hollywood, your confidence can be compromised… I feel like Josh helped me reconnect with that – he shared that with me.
For the director, the praise for Chalamet’s performance is very relevant:
– My favorite scenes are the ones where I watch him act. I was editing the film and there was something Timmy did that made it seem like we were seeing Marty’s spirit, which was incredible.
The event location was initially announced by the organization only to guests (fans and press), to avoid crowds. The secrecy was not without purpose. Earlier, the star was present at a surprise activation of the film, in the central region. The brief, walk-in visit was no deterrent to fans who lined up to enter the Marty Supreme pop-up merchandise store.
The film officially opens in Brazilian cinemas on January 22, and will have special screenings starting on the 8th of the same month. The actor and director will be present at CCXP on Friday, in a panel discussion on the Thunder Stage by Claro tv+ and in an interview on the Omelete Stage by BB.