If Salvador Dali were to helm a film in contemporary times, it might resemble "Poor Things," the very film that earned actress Emma Stone an Oscar for Best Actress and directed by Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. While some labeled the movie as peculiar, others deemed it extraordinary – precisely the unconventional cinematic journey director Yorgos Lanthimos aimed to deliver to viewers.
Who exactly is Yorgos Lanthimos, and what motivates him to create films that are simultaneously exceptional and eccentric? Renowned for his direction of psychological thrillers, black comedies, and horror films, Yorgos Lanthimos has garnered significant acclaim, clinching a BAFTA Award along with nominations for three Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
Photo via Hollywood reporter
Among Lanthimos' early works are "My Best Friend" (2001), "Kinetta" (2005), and "Dogtooth" (2009), the latter of which secured the Un Certain Regard prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. Transitioning from Greek to English-language productions since 2015, Lanthimos has received three Academy Award nominations: Best Original Screenplay for "The Lobster" (2015) and Best Director and Best Picture for "The Favourite" (2018). His subsequent film, "Poor Things" (2023), clinched the Golden Lion at the 80th Venice International Film Festival.
Fun Fact about Yorgos Lanthimos
Loves the films of Robert Bresson, Stanley Kubrick, John Cassavetes, Luis Buñuel and Jean-Luc Godard.
Yorgos was a member of the creative team which designed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
It was the work of Andrei Tarkovsky and Robert Bresson that changed him from film student to director.
Every time before making a new film, he watches Seijun Suzuki's Branded to Kill (1967) to get inspiration.
Member of the 'Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' (AMPAS) since 2016.
Began to pick up jobs filming different ballet and dance-related performances.
Directed 4 actors in Oscar®-nominated performances: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone (twice), Rachel Weisz, and Mark Ruffalo. Colman and Stone won for their performances in his films.
Nominated for a 2019 Academy Award® in the Best Director category for his work on The Favourite (2018) but lost to Alfonso Cuarón for Roma (2018).
