Reality's Monstrous Counterpart Depicted on Canvas - Terror or Horror in Both Realities: A Comparison
In the heart of this year's Venice Festival, a captivating lineup of competition films has been unveiled, including Guillermo del Toro's latest masterpiece, "Frankenstein." The film, based on Mary Shelley's horror novel, is a chilling exploration of humans brutally intervening in the natural order.
Del Toro, a triple Oscar winner, has crafted a mesmerising adaptation, with Oscar Isaac embodying the charismatic yet arrogant Victor Frankenstein. Christoph Waltz plays Henrich Harlander, a wealthy arms merchant and Frankenstein's patron, expressing a cynical view about remaining hopeful in "monstrous times."
The Venice Festival is also hosting "The Wizard of the Kremlin," a film that provides an analysis of Putin's rise to the Russian presidency. Directed by Olivier Assayas, the story is told from the perspective of a fictional advisor modeled after Putin's former chief advisor, Vladislav Surkov. Jude Law portrays Vladimir Putin in the film, while Paul Dano plays the advisor role.
Another intriguing competition entry is "Bugonia," directed by Lanthimos, known for his grotesque, brutal, and humorous style. The film reflects aspects of the real world, as stated by Lanthimos himself, and features Emma Stone as a company CEO who is kidnapped by conspiracy theorists. Jesse Plemons plays one of these conspiracy theorists.
The dangers of humans trying to stand above everything are also explored in "Frankenstein" and "Bugonia," much like "The Wizard of the Kremlin." Each film serves as a stark reminder of the consequences when ambition outweighs morality.
Del Toro believes that the current world situation makes the film's message about humans playing God particularly relevant. As the Venice Festival unfolds, audiences are eager to see how these thought-provoking films resonate with the global community.
