Inside "Bugonia": An Unsettling Sci-Fi Tale of Bees and a Basement

Cinematographer Robbie Ryan and Yorgos Lanthimos have once again teamed up to produce an enchantingly eerie sci-fi flick, "Bugonia". Known for their aptitude for dark humor and technical audacity, the duo presents a visually rich tale of "bees and a basement".

The narrative revolves around Michelle (portrayed by Emma Stone), a razor-tongued pharmaceutical company CEO. She is abruptly seized by Teddy (played by Jesse Plemons) and his cousin Don (characterized by Aidan Delbis), who insist that she admit to being an extraterrestrial being. As Michelle bears her captivity within a bleak basement, the lines between sheer terror and startling discovery grow fainter at Teddy’s remote ranch. The farm's colony of bees serve as a chilling symbol for dominion.

Choosing large-format film as their medium, Ryan and Lanthimos have dared to push the limits. They used VistaVision cameras - specifically the Wilcam W11 and the Beaucam- coupled with prototype lenses designed by Dan Sasaki, to shoot “Bugonia”. Although it brought with it its fair share of challenges, the combination resulted in phenomenal detail and texture.

Lanthimos' trademark low-angle framing gives the film an earthiness and a subtly distorted view that maintains audience instability. Yorgos’ film-making approach as described by Ryan "if someone is moving, the camera should also be moving, if they stop, you stop".

The movie's kidnapping sequence stands out, displaying precision and liveliness despite the technical glitches encountered during its production. The sequence ignites Lanthimos' mix of irrationality and apprehension as it perfectly captures Emma Stone’s character's resistance against her captors in an 'observational' fashion.

Lanthimos, favoring natural lighting, keeps artificial film lighting to a minimum. One of the most impactful shots in the kidnapping scene, shot from the inside across an indoor pool, was born purely from improvisation. “Bugonia,” with its classic camera imperfections, Lanthimos' precision, and Ryan’s intuitive camera movement, amalgamates into a distinctive masterpiece.