Yorgos Lanthimos never disappoints. After plunging us into the wild bacchanalian depths of Poor Things earlier this year – which we plunged into for our 101st issue – the Greek director is now firmly resettling back to his roots. A more contemporary time and place makes up the setting for yet another of his deranged explorations of the human condition, this time in the form of an anthology told in three seemingly unconnected parts.
Kinds of Kindness sees Lanthimos reuniting with trusty screenwriter Efthimis Filippou, with whom he co-wrote the screenplays for Dogtooth, Alps, The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. Using a small ensemble of regulars and newcomers in different roles, the duo are once more brandishing their penchant for blowing provocative imagery out of proportion with sharp, absurdist humour whilst weaving characters in and out of each others’ lives. There’s tonnes to unpack within this nasty triptych of cerebral stories, where submission, manipulation, toxicity and control are turned into “kinds of kindness”.
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In this stacked issue, we speak to Lanthimos and Filippou about the fruits of their legendary collaboration. We also meet with Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe and Hong Chau, who speak to us about the processes behind crafting a unique set of characters.
On the cover
We’re proud to showcase a new piece by the Edinburgh-based artist Tom Humberstone, which riffs on the film’s clever multiverse conceit. For inspiration, we sent Tom a ’90s film poster as a bit of inspiration for what we were going for (as a bit of an homage), but see if you can guess which one it is. You can explore more of Tom’s work, including his ace tennis-themed graphic novel, Suzanne, here.
In the issue
Lead review: Kinds of Kindness
David Jenkins praises the sprawling and spry new feature from the mischievous Greek auteur, Yorgos Lanthimos.
Little Babies
A conversation on the god-like qualities of directing and writing with Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou.
Summer Camp
Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons attempt to decipher the codes and meanings in Kinds of Kindness.
God’s Away on Business
Charles Bramesco explores the various strange and symbolic screen depictions of the big guy upstairs.
White Knuckle
Willem Dafoe and Hong Chau lay out the particulars of Yorgos Lanthimos’ method with actors.
Trigger Warnings
A compendium of confessions from LWLies writers on the moments that have caused them to physically look away from the cinema screen.
In the back section
Jeff Nichols
The American director details the circuitous route he took to finally arrive at his elegiac new film, The Bikeriders.
Nuri Bilge Ceylan
The Turkish maestro unpicks the secrets of his screenwriting and how he created such rich and abrasive characters for new film, About Dry Grasses.
Marie Amachoukeli
The decision to write a film from the perspective of a six-year-old was a no-brainer for the director of the wonderful Ama Gloria.
Bertrand Bonello
The French veteran and provocateur on the modern resonances of Henry James and being the total filmmaker for his new film, The Beast.
In review
Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders
Viggo Mortensen’s The Dead Don’t Hurt
Richard Linklater’s Hit Man
Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s About Dry Grasses
Selma Vilhunen’s Four Little Adults
Kamal Lazraq’s Hounds
Julio Torres’ Problemista
Jason Yu’s Sleep
Levan Akin’s Crossing
Matías Piñeiro’s You Burn Me
Lina Soualem’s Bye Bye Tiberias
Marie Amachoukeli’s Ama Gloria
Nathan and David Zellner’s Sasquatch Sunset
Bas Devos’ Here
Agnieszka Holland’s Green Border
Bertrand Bonello’s The Beast
Turner and Bill Ross’ Gasoline Rainbow
Stéphanie Di Giusto’s Rosalie
Christopher Murray’s Sorcery
Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1
Paul B. Preciado’s Orlando, My Political Biography
Monia Chokri’s The Nature of Love
Plus, Matt Turner selects six key home ents releases for your consideration; Hannah Strong sends a postcard from the Cannes Film Festival; Marina Ashioti looks at Virginia Woolf’s novel ‘Orlando’ and its various screen adaptations.
LWLies 103 is available to order now from our online shop. Become a Club LWLies Gold Member or subscribe today to make sure you never miss an issue.
