Yorgos Lanthimos

“Well, let’s start with Inland Empire. I rewatched it recently after David Lynch died. I was looking forward to meet him one day. What he said about one of my films is my happiest moment in my film career. He had seen Dogtooth, and he said in an interview that he thought it was really funny. And I’m trying to find the actual clip of the L. A. Times and frame it. If anyone has that, please send it to me.”

“, yes, Carnal Knowledge. Mike Nichols, in general, I think he’s an incredible filmmaker, both visually and the performances in this film. It could be quite tricky because the characters play themselves over a long period of time. It could feel kind of silly, but they… they do a great job out of it and they’re all incredible in this film.”

“And since we talked about Mike Nichols, Elaine May. We actually watched this film with Emma Stone before we made Bugonia. John Cassavetes is one of my favorite filmmakers ever, and this film by Elaine May has somehow both of their geniuses combined. And, of course, Peter Falk, also incredible. There’s something about this film, it feels so raw and crazy and intense, and I think it’s just, like, the perfect collaboration. Mikey and Nicky by Elaine May.”

“Black God, White Devil. I have heard so many things about this film and this filmmaker. And I haven’t watched any of them. I mean, I’ve watched clips, and it looks tremendous, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, so I’m looking forward to watch this.”

“I mean, everyone knows this film, Persona, by Bergman, but I have a very fond memory watching a print of it in his theater in Fårö, in Sweden, with his chair there kind of having a very strong presence. So it’s a film I always go back to and always remember that day in his cinema.”

“Oh, my favorite filmmaker ever. I couldn’t leave him out, Luis Buñuel. It’s The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, The Phantom of Liberty, and That Obscure Object of Desire. I mean, I watch them often. And I guess Phantom of Liberty was quite inspiring for Kinds of Kindness, the structure of the three different films that are not necessarily related. And this looks like a bargain.”