Yorgos Lanthimos makes a triumphant return to the Venice Film Festival this year with "Bugonia," marking his first appearance since he triumphantly claimed the Golden Lion two years ago for his Oscar-winning film, "Poor Things," which garnered four Academy Awards. The new venture from Focus Features stars his frequent muse and collaborator, Emma Stone, who enthuses about their latest endeavor as a "truly mesmerizing and poignant, humorous yet twisted, and vibrantly alive" film. This endorsement is bound to delight the myriad fans of Lanthimos, a director whose films effortlessly shift from the humorous and absurd to the disturbing and provocative within the span of two hours.
"Bugonia" draws inspiration from the 2003 Korean sci-fi film "Save The Green Planet!" directed by Jang Joon-hwan. Screenwriter Will Tracy offered a fresh perspective that captivated Lanthimos from the moment he read the script three years ago. The film casts Stone as a powerful CEO of a prominent company who finds herself kidnapped by two rogue conspiracy theorists who convince themselves that she is an alien with designs on destroying planet Earth. Originally conceived by filmmaker Ari Aster and producer Lars Knudsen, Lanthimos reveals that this project marks one of the rare instances where he directed something he hadn't been involved in from its inception.
Despite the source material being over two decades old, and Tracy's script undergoing years of development, Lanthimos insists that the themes and plot feel incredibly pertinent. "I was instantly mesmerized," he shares of his reaction upon reading the script. "I found it incredibly humorous and entertaining, yet profoundly impactful, prompting deep contemplation. I was immediately eager to bring it to life. It felt relevant then, three years ago, and unfortunately, it's even more pertinent now."
During Thursday's press conference, Lanthimos' candid remarks about the current state of affairs garnered significant attention, as he didn't shy away from describing it bluntly. "Again, unfortunately, much of the dystopia depicted in this film isn't fictional. Much of it is a stark reflection of the real world," he asserts, adding that when people hear the word dystopia, they often envision an image of the future and the calamities that have befallen civilization. "If anything, this film underscores that it's happening now. In fact, it's become even more relevant as time has passed. Humanity stands at a precipice. People must choose the right path; otherwise, given everything transpiring in the world—technology, AI, wars, climate change, and the denial of these issues—and our desensitization to them, I'm uncertain how much time we have left. The movie is a mirror to our times, and hopefully, it will prod people to ponder the present realities across the globe."
Jesse Plemons, who portrays one of the kidnappers and reunites with Lanthimos after starring in his recent film "Kinds of Kindness," was questioned about portraying challenging characters, like those in "Bugonia" and "Civil War," and whether he grapples with roles that leave an indelible mark, positively or negatively. "In my personal belief, for some, it might not be advisable to watch such content. Those averse to violence should steer clear, but I also think we instinctively shy away from confronting what's scary, difficult to look at, examine, or comprehend," he explains. "For me, as an actor, it's a means to try to make sense of these challenging individuals and situations. There's a risk in dismissing them as inhuman, because they are very real and exist."
"Bugonia," which makes its world premiere tonight at Sala Grande, is one of the most anticipated titles at the Venice Film Festival, which runs from August 27th to September 6th.
