Analysis of the Telluride Awards: Yorgos Lanthimos' chilling film, 'Bugonia,' earns Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons strong Oscar chances for their performances
In the world of cinema, anticipation is building for the upcoming release of "Bugonia", a new film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, and Aidan Delbis. The movie, set for release in U.S. theaters on Oct. 24 by Focus Features, is an absurdist comedy adaptation of Jang Joon-hwan's 2003 South Korean film "Save the Green Planet!".
The plot of "Bugonia" revolves around two American oddball cousins, played by Plemons and Delbis, who kidnap Stone's character, an American corporate titan. The kidnappers believe she is an alien intent on destroying the earth, leading to a battle of wits between the abductors and the abductee as a massive effort is mounted to locate the CEO.
Emma Stone, a four-time Oscar nominee who won a best actress Oscar for "La La Land" in 2016, delivers a captivating performance in "Bugonia". Her character's predicament evokes thoughts of "The Twilight Zone" or "Black Mirror" and calls to mind dark social satires like "Dog Day Afternoon" and "Network". Plemons, a best supporting actor Oscar nominee for "The Power of the Dog" in 2021, also delivers a noteworthy performance, with his nomination for a lead acting award being a strong possibility.
"Bugonia" has been recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a potential contender for awards such as best picture, best director, and best adapted screenplay. The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Aug. 28 and was screened at the Telluride Film Festival over the Labor Day weekend.
As the release date approaches, the buzz surrounding "Bugonia" continues to grow. Meanwhile, other exciting developments in the film industry are on the horizon. Daniel Day-Lewis, Richard Linklater, and Yorgos Lanthimos are set for talks at the BFI London Film Festival, a related story worth keeping an eye on.
