Director Yorgos Lanthimos wins Golden Lion at 2023 Venice Film Festival

·

‘Poor Things’, a darkly comedic, provocatively charged film directed by Greece’s Yorgos Lanthimos, secured the esteemed Golden Lion award at the 2023 Venice Film Festival on Saturday, September 9.

Featuring stellar performances from Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Ruffalo, this British-produced film captivated festival attendees with its eccentric narrative of a woman brought back to life after suicide by a deranged doctor who replaces her brain with that of her unborn child.

Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone on set of the film Poor Things. Photo: The Film Stage.

In a childlike body, Stone’s character, Bella Baxter, grows progressively self-reliant and intrigued by her sexual explorations as she embarks on a surreal journey of self-discovery through an alternate version of 19th-century Europe, describes Ekathimerini.

Lanthimos commented, “The central character is Bella Baxter, an incredible creature, and she would not exist without Emma Stone, another incredible creature.” Lanthimos, known for his previous works like “The Favourite” and “The Lobster,” expressed his admiration for Stone’s portrayal.

Margaret Qualley (as Felicity), Willem Dafoe (as Dr. Godwin Baxter), and Ramy Youssef (as Max McCandless) in Poor Things. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.

In an interview with Vogue, Stone and Lanthimos were asked how it felt to collaborate together again five years after The Favourite was released.

“We’ve known each other for about eight years now, and we started talking about this film around the time we were making The Favourite, in 2017.

In the interim, the pair shot short film called Bleat in Greece at the beginning of 2020, and then worked together again in New Orleans during the fall, Emma says.

“It feels like it’s just been this sort of continuing process.”

Lanthimos added, “It’s so different when you know someone after having worked with them and gone through promotion and festivals and everything.

“We knew we wanted to work together again, and by the time we started making more things together, we knew each other really well; we trusted each other and we respected each other, and I think we inspire each other as well.”

Read more: Emma Stone in Athens: A ‘great gift’ to work with Yorgos Lanthimos

Emma Stone in Poor Things. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.

Venice traditionally heralds the commencement of awards season and frequently brings forth frontrunners for the Oscars, with eight of the last eleven best director accolades going to films that made their debut at this festival.

Yorgos Lanthimos and Stone on the set of Poor Things. Photo: Atsushi Nishijima.

Source: Ekathimerini and Vogue

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Māori-Greek artist’s tribute to ancestors lights up Manhattan billboard

Māori-Greek artist Jimmy James Kouratoras has made a striking return to New York, with his painting Hei Tiki – For the Love of Our Ancestors.

Extraordinary Australians wanted for nation’s highest award

Now is the time to give recognition by nominating who you think should be considered for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.

European Parliament backs resolution to protect Christian minorities in Syria

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution by overwhelming majority calling for the protection of Christian minorities in Syria.

Konstantinos Argiros delivers emotional first-ever performance in Constantinople

One of Greece’s top pop stars, Konstantinos Argiros, performed in Turkey for the first time on July 10, delivering a sold-out concert.

Survivors pulled from Red Sea two days after Houthi strike on Greek cargo vessel

Four more survivors from the Greek-operated cargo ship Eternity C have been rescued from the Red Sea nearly 48 hours after the vessel sunk.

You May Also Like

Greatest Greek philosophers of all time: Plato

Each month, a different Greek philosopher will be chosen to look at their most famous quotes and deconstruct them for modern understanding.

Charmian Clift’s Kalymnos: A new workshop for readers and writers

It was standing room only at Gleebooks on Sunday, May 12 when Charmian Clift fans and Kalymnian Australians gathered to hear biographer Nadia Wheatley...

US salutes Greece, Turkey earthquake diplomacy

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden offered condolences to Greece and Turkey Friday after an earthquake that has killed at least 19 people across both countries and injured hundreds more.