Director Deep Focus: Yorgos Lanthimos
Georgios Lanthimos, popularly known as Yorgos Lanthimos was born on the 23 of Sept 1973 in Pangrati, Greece. He is known as a film director, producer, and screenwriter.
Lanthimos' interest in directing started when he switched from Business Administration to study Directing Film and Television at the Hellenic Cinema and Television School Stavrakos in Athens.
Lanthimos directed his first film in 2001, “My Best Friend”, a Greek comedy that became a box office success. After his first movies, Lanthimos began to develop his special Directing style—one which sets him apart from other popular film directors.
His focus on dialogue, absurdism, black humor, and approach to film-making has earned him international recognition as a film-making pioneer. Films like “Dogtooth” (2009), “The Lobster” (2015), and “The Favorite” (2018) are his most recognized work—earning him multiple Oscar nominations and wins.
These are a few of his best films, which encapsulate his unique approach to film-making and directing.
“The Lobster” (2015)
“The Lobster” is one of those movies that stays in someone's head for weeks after watching it. Starring Colin Farrel as “David” and Rachel Weisz as “Short Sighted Woman”, this dystopian surreal black-comedy blends romance with surrealism.
The beautiful cinematography, accompanied by the bizarre—even robotic— dialogue makes this film about dating in a dystopian future feel almost suspenseful.
In this film, David joins a dating retreat, where he is obligated to find love within 45 minutes or turn into an animal of their choice.
“The Killing of a Sacred Deer” (2017)
Starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell, and Barry Keoghan, this mystery/thriller film manages to be incredibly suspenseful, thanks to Lanthimos’ approach to dialogue, making this film take inspiration from Greek tragedies, psychodrama, and unsettling humor.
This critically acclaimed movie follows the life of Dr. Steven Murphy, and his relationship with a fatherless teenage boy, Martin, who becomes obsessed with Murphy and his family.
“The Favorite” (2018)
The academy-award-winning film, “The Favorite'' starring Emma Stone, Olivia Colman, and Rachel Weisz was directed and co-produced by Lanthimos. This movie became one of the most sought-after films of 2018 due to its originality and stellar performances.
This black comedy set in the 18th Century explores power dynamics, womanhood, and tragedy.
This film follows the life and relationships of Queen Anne,—an English queen with poor health— and her trusted friend Lady Sarah Churchill, who became her lover. Later on, an aristocrat by the name of Abigail Masham becomes her assistant, creating a love triangle—where both fight for the unreciprocated love from the queen.
This film is thought-provoking, clever, and in just three years became one of Yorgos Lanthimos’ classics.
Fernanda Lopez is a first-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email lfl5339@psu.edu
