The Scandalous Delights of Yorgos Lanthimos' Avant-Garde Anthology Film at Cannes

Yorgos Lanthimos' latest film, "Kinds of Kindness," featuring Emma Stone, caused a stir at the Cannes Film Festival with its provocative anthology of stories delving into sex cults, cannibalism, and decadence. The film garnered a 4.5-minute standing ovation, with Lanthimos and his ensemble cast exiting the stage amid the applause. "Kinds of Kindness" presents three distinct narratives with cast members taking on varying roles in each tale.

While the premiere witnessed a few walkouts, particularly during the film's more gruesome segments, Lanthimos chose to depart the screening promptly after the ovation, without engaging with the audience. The movie, characterized by avant-garde storytelling, features unconventional plot twists, extreme moments, and dark humor, such as cult rituals involving sweat consumption, paranoia about pod people, group sex scenes, and Stone's remarkable breakdancing and daring driving sequences.

The star-studded cast, including Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, and Joe Alwyn, graced the red carpet ahead of the film's premiere. Notable attendees at the event included Demi Moore, Mike Faist, Eva Green, and Chloe Fineman. Lanthimos, known for his Cannes premieres like "The Lobster" and "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," shifted focus to the Venice Film Festival for his recent works like "The Favourite" and "Poor Things," both of which saw award season success.

"Kinds of Kindness" is set for release by Searchlight Pictures on June 21, following in the footsteps of Lanthimos' previous acclaimed films.