Yorgos Lanthimos surprises Venice with “The Poor Man”

Without presence in Venice Film Festival Emma Stone, star of “Poor Girls”Due to the actors’ strike in Hollywood, director Yorgos Lanthimos took center stage at a press conference for the presentation of the Golden Lion-nominated film, to a standing ovation and thunderous applause.

“Poor things” It is based on a Scottish novel. Alasdair Gray about a woman who was brought back to life by a strange surgeon (Willem Dafoe) by non-standard methods. “It speaks of the freedom of thought and vision of the world, the position of women in society, the relationship between a man and a woman,” summed up the Greek director, who became famous in 2009 with the unclassified film Dogs.

Lanthimos he read the novel in 2011 and has wanted to adapt it ever since. Stone’s involvement also has a long history: he spoke to him about the project at the end of filming The Favorite, and then he the protagonist of La La Land became interested.

“She was briefed about the whole process and I think it helped her because somehow she had this character in mind all along,” the director, who confessed his surprise to reporters, told reporters. have to speak on behalf of the actress.

Unlike the novel, the film’s narrative focuses solely on the point of view of Bella Baxter, “that mind that can start from scratch, completely free, without shame or prejudice,” he noted.

The story begins in London, in the home and workshop of the surgeon who brings her back to life and where the first stage of discovery takes place, until Bella develops a desire for emancipation and embarks on a journey with the libertine lawyer she gives life to. Mark Ruffalowith whom he has passionate adventures around the world.

About the abundance of sex scenes, Lanthimos explained that they were in a novel. “I didn’t want to make a sanctimonious film that would betray the character, and Emma was totally dedicated to the cause,” he said. “Good with Emma, ​​this is after several films together “Back in 2020, they shot the short film “Bleat” – we understand each other almost without words, it was a great experience,” he added.

In addition, during the filming they had an intimate coordinator. “At first, most filmmakers found this profession threatening, but like everything else, if you find a good professional, you understand that you really need him,” he said.

How did the story of “Poor Girl” come about?

Filmed on set Lanthimos he demonstrates visual exuberance when creating sets that turn Lisbon, Paris or London into dystopian versions of themselves, jumping from black and white to color, from conventional lenses to wide angles.

“The first thing I do is see what the story asks me to do, but it’s true that from a cinematic point of view I’m interested in developing style and developing it in every film,” he stated. “It was about doing something different, the world that suited her couldn’t be the world as we know it.”

Black humor, a touch of perversion and absurdity are also elements of his filmography, repeated in “Poor Things”. “I feed on what I observe, read and imagine, there is something absurd in all human behavior, and in sexuality too, it seems natural to me,” he said.

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