Poor Things

Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
Country, year: UK, Ireland, USA, 2023, 141'

Cankarjev dom Cinema Poor Things

Screenplay: Tony McNamara, Alasdair Gray (novel/roman)
Cinematography: Robbie Ryan
Music: Jerskin Fendrix
Cast: Emma Stone (Bella Baxter), Willem Dafoe (Dr. Godwin Baxter), Mark Ruffalo (Duncan Wedderburn), Vicki Pepperdine (Mrs. Prim), Ramy Youssef (Max McCandles), Jack Barton, Charlie Hiscock, Attila Dobai, Emma Hindle, Anders Olof Grundberg
Producent: Element Pictures & Film4 & Searchlight Pictures
Subtitles: Slovenian
Language: English

The incredible tale about the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter. Golden Lion at Venice 2023.

A young woman, Bella, is brought back to life by her guardian, Dr. Godwin Baxter, a disfigured scientist conducting experiments on living beings, both animals and humans, in his luxurious villa. Initially na?ve, Bella is eager to learn about the world around her, albeit under Baxter's protection. Wanting to see more, she runs off with Duncan Wedderburn, a slick and debauched lawyer, and travels across continents. Thus, Bella embarks on a formative journey into the injustices and biases of the modern world. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella demands equality and liberation.

Dealing with issues of patriarchy, ownership and feminism, as well as philosophical debates about human nature, not to mention the thorny issue of prostitution and sexual freedom, this is a fascinating and entertaining ride. Together, Lanthimos and his team of players and crew have conjured up a delight that - like its protagonist - is eccentric, smart, a little dark, lovely to look at and charming as hell.
Jo-Ann Titmarsh, London Evening Standard

About director
Born in 1973 in Athens, Lanthimos studied film and TV direction at the Stavrakos Film School in Athens. Since 1995 he has been involved in filmmaking as well as in direction of theatre productions and TV commercials. He gained international prominence by developing his own absurdist and allegorical style of storytelling in Kinetta, Dogtooth and Alps. The Lobster was his first English-speaking film.