Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone’s Bugonia Stuns at Venice Film Festival
Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone’s Bugonia Stuns Venice Film Festival Audience
Venice, Italy – Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone’s latest collaboration, Bugonia, captivated audiences at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday night, earning a thunderous six-minute standing ovation following its world premiere at the iconic Sala Grande cinema. The film, a darkly comedic thriller, left viewers oscillating between stunned silence and uproarious laughter, showcasing Lanthimos’s signature blend of explosive violence and satirical humor.
As the applause echoed through the theater, Lanthimos, Stone, and co-stars Jessie Plemons and Aidan Delbis took to the balcony, joining hands in a heartfelt bow to the enthusiastic crowd. Critics have hailed Bugonia for its “weird twists,” with The Hollywood Reporter praising its ability to balance slapstick comedy with sharp social commentary.
In Bugonia, Stone stars alongside Plemons and a talented ensemble cast, including Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone. The film is a remake of Korean director Jang Joon Hwan’s cult classic Save the Green Planet!, following two conspiracy-obsessed young men who kidnap a powerful CEO, convinced she is an alien bent on Earth’s destruction.
This highly anticipated release marks another collaboration between Lanthimos and Stone, following their critically acclaimed film Poor Things, which garnered four Oscars, including a second Best Actress award for Stone. The duo’s previous project, Kinds of Kindness, premiered at Cannes but received mixed reviews and struggled at the box office. With Bugonia, they appear poised for a triumphant return to mainstream success, thanks to its shocking premise and powerful performances.
The 82nd Venice Film Festival runs from August 27 to September 6, showcasing a diverse array of films and talent from around the globe. As Bugonia continues to generate buzz, it stands as a testament to Lanthimos and Stone’s creative synergy and their ability to push cinematic boundaries.