Yorgos Lanthimos: I Shall Sing These Songs Beautifully
Yorgos Lanthimos’s body of work, praised for its intricate world-building and surreal examinations of human relationships, has cemented his reputation as one of the most unique filmmakers in modern cinema. “I Shall Sing These Songs Beautifull” taps into his signature visual style to convey a haunting narrative through photographs taken by Lanthimos during the production of his latest feature, “Kinds of Kindness” (2024). The images occupy a liminal space between the real-world setting of New Orleans and the dreamlike realm of cinema.
Accompanying these photos are new writings by Lanthimos, which echo the fragmented lyricism of Sappho, from whose poetry the book’s title is drawn.
Lanthimos exclusively works with analogue film for both his still and moving images, valuing the creative intimacy this format offers. These never-before-seen color and black-and-white photos contributed to shaping the world of his new film, and here, they are recontextualized to create a completely new narrative, filled with the tension and unsettling atmosphere that have become hallmarks of Lanthimos’s style.
About the Author
Yorgos Lanthimos was born on September 23, 1973, in Athens, Greece.
Throughout his career, he has directed numerous dance videos in collaboration with Greek choreographers, as well as TV commercials, music videos, short films, and theater productions. He has also worked as a photographer for editorials and fashion campaigns.
His debut feature film, “Kinetta”, garnered critical praise at the Toronto and Berlin film festivals.
Lanthimos’ second feature, “Dogtooth”, won the Un Certain Regard Prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and received various awards at international festivals. In 2011, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
His third feature, “Alps”, won the Osella for Best Screenplay at the 2011 Venice Film Festival and took home the Best Film prize at the 2012 Sydney Film Festival.
Lanthimos’ first English-language feature, “The Lobster”, premiered in competition at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. It also secured awards for Best Screenplay and Best Costume Design at the 2015 European Film Awards. In 2017, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Colin Farrell’s performance earned him nominations for a Golden Globe and a European Film Academy Award.
His fifth feature, “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”, premiered in competition at the 70th Cannes Film Festival, winning the award for Best Screenplay. It also received nominations for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor (Colin Farrell) at the European Film Academy Awards.
In 2018, Lanthimos’ film “The Favourite”, starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz, premiered at the 75th Venice Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize (Silver Lion) and saw Olivia Colman awarded the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. Colman also received the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. The film won ten British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) and seven BAFTAs out of twelve nominations. It was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Olivia Colman won the Oscar for Best Actress.
In May 2022, Lanthimos premiered “BLEAT”, a silent short film starring Emma Stone and Damien Bonnard, designed to be accompanied by live orchestra music, at the Greek National Opera. It was later shown at the 2023 New York Film Festival.
His most recent film, “Poor Things” (2023), won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, along with Golden Globe Awards for Best Film (Musical or Comedy) and Best Actress for Emma Stone. Stone went on to win Best Actress at the Critics’ Choice Awards, BAFTAs, and Academy Awards. The film also received Oscars for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design. Yorgos Lanthimos’ upcoming feature film, “Kinds of Kindness”, is set to premiere in competition at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in 2024.
