Yorgos Lanthimos Embraces Photography Before His Oscar Comeback

ATHENS, Greece — Acclaimed filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos has temporarily set aside his film projects to explore a quieter passion: photography.

This week, the 52-year-old Greek director unveiled an exhibition of his photographs in his native Athens, featuring images captured over the past five years. Many of these photos were taken during film shoots, while others were snapped during his strolls through local neighborhoods or on his visits back to Greece.

The exhibition comprises 182 still images, both in color and black and white, reflecting the distinctive and often unsettling style that characterizes his films. This showcase comes just days before Lanthimos heads back to Hollywood for the March 15 Academy Awards ceremony, where his latest film, "Bugonia," has garnered four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Emma Stone.

In his remarks, Lanthimos expressed satisfaction in revisiting photography, which initially served as a technical foundation for his filmmaking but has evolved into a deeply personal pursuit. "In film school, you learn that cinema is basically 24 photographs per second," he explained. "So photography is where it all begins."

He also noted that working with still images provides a creative outlet distinct from the complexities of film production. "You can be alone with a camera, wandering without a specific goal in mind," he said. "Each photograph holds its own value, yet together, they can create a different kind of narrative."

Photography offers an immediacy that cinema often lacks. "You create something that almost instantly exists," he noted, highlighting the satisfaction of capturing and developing film in a darkroom. "You can hold a photograph in your hands, and that direct gratification is unique."

While Lanthimos remains a pivotal figure in contemporary cinema, he envisions photography playing an increasingly significant role in his artistic journey. Unlike films, he believes photographs possess the flexibility to evolve long after they are taken. "You can present them in various formats, whether in a book or an exhibition. There's a freedom in photography that is incredibly exciting," he remarked.

The exhibition at the Onassis Foundation will be on display until May 17.