When Bugonia Meets Basketball: Lanthimos and Stone’s Olympiacos Moment

In a lively interview that blended Hollywood glamour with Greek sporting passion, acclaimed director Yorgos Lanthimos and his frequent collaborator Emma Stone discussed their upcoming sci-fi comedy Bugonia, only for the conversation to pivot to Lanthimos' beloved Olympiacos basketball team.

The chat, conducted by veteran Greek film critic Thodoris Koutsogiannopoulos, featured Lanthimos, Stone, and co-star Jesse Plemons promoting the remake of the 2003 South Korean hit Save the Green Planet!. But true to form for the Oscar-winning filmmaker, known for global successes like The Favourite and Poor Things, the discussion veered into his lifelong love for basketball.

Lanthimos, a die-hard Olympiacos supporter, is no stranger to the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF) in Piraeus. The director, who played for local club Pankrati in his youth, often attends games when his schedule allows. He's even brought along his artistic "muse," Stone, on several occasions to the Faliro arena.

Just days before the interview, on October 29, Lanthimos was spotted in Piraeus watching Olympiacos face AS Monaco – though this time without the American actress by his side.

As the formal Q&A wrapped up, Koutsogiannopoulos thanked the trio and wished them luck with Bugonia. Turning playfully to Stone, he suggested: "You should come to Piraeus more often." He explained that her presence seemed to bring the team better fortune than Lanthimos himself.

"Yes, I know!" Stone replied with a grin.

Lanthimos, ever the tactician on and off the court, remained measured. When Koutsogiannopoulos noted that "the competition this year is crazy and fierce," the director simply nodded in agreement. Stone, meanwhile, kept smiling throughout the exchange.

The lighthearted detour highlights Lanthimos' deep roots in Greek culture amid his international fame. Bugonia marks the fifth collaboration between the director and Stone, continuing a partnership that has captivated audiences worldwide.

For Greek fans, it's a reminder that even in the spotlight of Cannes and the Oscars, a trip to SEF for an Olympiacos game remains a cherished ritual.

Watch the interview here.

(Source: Theodoros Koutsogiannopoulos IG)