Willem Defoe


Can someone explain to me his character? And did he yell that Cassiel's forehead read "So long"?

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[deleted]

as i see it- he is both- the devil is the time-time kills us- time takes away the real focus on life- since we are in such a hurry all the time. somehow this devil has crept inside us- and we don't even recognise it for what it is.

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If he was the devil, why did he help Cassiel in the end?

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I thought he was time

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Flesti himself said it "I am not evil, I just have no pity".

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He is time. Or at least he embodies it. Not only is that the sensible option, but also what Wim Wenders has stated himself and he should know :)

Time is not malign or benign, so neither is Emit Flesti.

He might have developed the same kind of sympathetic interest in humankind as DEATH in the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett does. Only a bit more zynical.

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I watched this film for my collegiate beginner German class. Defoe's character I believe is time. His namr, Emit Flesti is backwards for Time Itself. I think he helps Cassiel in the end (knowing that it would lead to his death) because Cassiel does not belong on earth (essentially because he crossed over by mistake and did not by make the choice).

Hope that helps!

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I think that was the point. Although Emit Flesti was angry and frustrated with Cassiel, it wasn't anything personal--from his point of view, Cassiel was trespassing. E. F. was willing to help out when necessary, though, so he couldn't have been a complete villain.

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I loved this film, but it was confusing at times, especially trying to figure out who Emit represented. So it was Time? Interesting!

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