“Poor Things”, interview with director Yorgos Lanthimos and cinematographer Robbie Ryan

September 2, 2023

Yorgos Lanthimos and Robbie Ryan, director and cinematographer of "Poor Things", talk to FRED minutes after premiering their film in Venice.

"Poor Things", interview with director Yorgos Lanthimos and cinematographer Robbie Ryan David Martos

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Interview during the 80th edition of Venice International Film Festival with Yorgos Lanthimos, director, and Robbie Ryan, cinematographer, of the film in competition “Poor Things”, produced and starred by Emma Stone. She is absent from the festival due to the actors’ strike, alongside her fellow actors Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo.

The conversation revolves around the importance of premiering this film in Venice, the construction of the magnificent sets from scratch (and the huge amount of light they needed) and of course the fact that the actors in the film couldn’t come to Venice to support the production.

“Poor Things” is the story of Bella Baxter, a childish woman trapped in the body of an older one. Her father (“God” to her) is a scientist that looks at life in a cold and analytic way. One day she discovers that her desire, before getting married, is travelling the world. Emma Stone was involved with the production since “The favourite“, a film very present at the Oscars, with Olivia Colman winning the Best Actress statuette.

Plot

The incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter. Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn, a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.

Written by: David Martos

emma stone Mark Ruffalo Olivia Colman Willem Dafoe