“Whimsical Shadows: Exploring the Twisted Beauty of Yorgos Lanthimos’ Photography in ‘A Rabbit’s Foot'”

Yorgos Lanthimos stands out as one of the most celebrated avant-garde figures in modern cinema; he has recently garnered the attention of mainstream viewers alongside those of us who have tracked his creations since Dogtooth. Published by Mack, the filmmaker has unveiled a collection of his striking unseen photographs taken behind the scenes during the production of Kinds of Kindness. Entitled: i shall sing these songs beautifully, this volume echoes a similar endeavor for Poor Things, which was named Dear God, the Parthenon is still broken. Within these pages, you will find a compilation of haunting and ambiguous visuals that not only catalog the project but also nearly fashion an entirely new universe from it. Don’t anticipate glamorous images of Willem Dafoe and Emma Stone playfully interacting outside their trailers. This meticulously assembled series of visuals resides in a peculiar intersection between the actual site of New Orleans and the cinematic realm Lanthimos is probing, almost as if complementing Kinds of Kindness’s three narratives with an additional, fourth component.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this book is the brief texts penned by Lanthimos himself, which weave together new and vibrant tales drawn from the unsettling ambiance of his films. They resemble riddles that envelop the eerie, the alluring, the surreal, and the endlessly captivating imagery gathered here. My personal favorites include Jesse Plemons standing before a large artwork, and the peculiar, almost voyeuristic captures of vacant swimming pools, statues of Christ, and odd rooms draped in long white curtains. 

It serves as an ideal gift for any admirer of Lanthimos (especially if you emerged from Kinds of Kindness with a beaming smile) and will also attract those interested in surreal photography. Moreover, thanks to Mack’s publishing expertise, the cover and overall quality of this book render it a splendid coffee table addition, perfect for guests to come across, flip open, and dive into the exhilarating, otherworldly creativity of Yorgos Lanthimos.

i shall sing these songs beautifully is available for purchase here.