Matt Dillon, born on July 18, 1964, in New Rochelle, New York, is an American actor and director who has established himself since the 1970s with memorable roles in independent and arthouse films. With films such as “The Outsiders,” “Drugstore Cowboy,” and “Crash,” he is one of the most distinctive character actors of his generation.
In CITY OF GHOSTS (2002), his directorial debut, Dillon plays Jimmy Cremming, an insurance fraudster who flees to Cambodia when his schemes are uncovered. There he searches for his mentor Marvin (James Caan) and loses himself in a web of corruption, blackmail, and abuse of power. Dillon imbues the character with a mixture of guilt, longing, and sober morality, while the exotic backdrops of Phnom Penh and rural Cambodia become a visual counterpart to his inner journey. The film was praised for its atmospheric density and idiosyncratic noir style.
With CITY OF GHOSTS, Matt Dillon not only delivered a masterful performance, but also proved his talent as a filmmaker: he co-wrote the screenplay with Barry Gifford and directed the film. He later earned further awards and recognition for his role in Crash (2004), which earned him Oscar and BAFTA nominations.
With his stylistically precise, atmospheric acting style, Dillon remains an influential part of modern film history – both in front of and behind the camera.
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