The press conference for Yorgos Lanthimos’ new film, “Kinds of Kindness,” at the Cannes Film Festival focused heavily on sex scenes and primarily directed questions towards actress Emma Stone, despite the impressive ensemble cast sitting beside her. The anthology film features three distinct storylines with the same actors playing different characters in each chapter, all of whom endure horrific events. Stone, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Joe Alwyn, and Jesse Plemons star in the film, with additional talented actors like Hong Chau, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer also part of the ensemble, though they were not given the opportunity to speak during the press conference.
Lanthimos addressed the use of physicality and sex in his films, stating that he finds it very important and often starts from that perspective. Stone discussed her work with Lanthimos, emphasizing their focus on physical expression rather than the explicit content of the scenes. Despite attempts by Stone to shift the conversation towards the acting aspects of the film, questions continued to center around sex scenes and nudity, themes that have been prominent in Lanthimos’ previous work, including their collaboration on “Poor Things,” which earned Stone an Oscar for Best Actress.
Jesse Plemons, who plays a significant role in “Kinds of Kindness,” was surprisingly overlooked for questions during the press conference. Stone was asked about her role as a leading lady in many of her films and what it means to be a feminist in the industry. She acknowledged the collective effort required to bring about change and achieve true equality for women in cinema. The discussion veered off course when Margaret Qualley brought humor to the conversation by drawing attention to her large white hat, lightening the mood in the room.
Lanthimos filmed “Kinds of Kindness” back-to-back with his Oscar-winning film “Poor Things,” due to the post-production process of the latter film. The director discussed the seamless transition between the two projects and the decision to shoot another movie while waiting for VFX completion. Plemons, reflecting on his experience working with Lanthimos for the first time, praised the collaborative and exciting atmosphere on set as they worked towards understanding and achieving the director’s vision. Plemons and Stone are set to collaborate with Lanthimos again on his next project, “Bugonia.”
“Kinds of Kindness” is scheduled for release in theaters on June 21, with the ensemble cast delivering powerful performances across three distinct storylines that explore themes of physicality, sex, and violence within Lanthimos’ unique storytelling style. Despite the press conference focusing heavily on sex scenes and Stone’s role as a leading actress, the film promises to deliver a thought-provoking and visually captivating narrative that challenges audiences’ perceptions of human connection and kindness. The talented ensemble cast, led by Stone and Plemons, brings Lanthimos’ vision to life, creating a cinematic experience that is both unsettling and mesmerizing.
