With a standing ovation lasting almost seven minutes, the audience of the Venice Film Festival welcomed Yorgos Lanthimos and the cast of his new film “Bugonia”, which had its world premiere on August 28 at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.
The screening at the historic Sala Grande turned into a deeply emotional moment, with lead actress Emma Stone shedding tears of joy, accompanied by her husband Dave McCary. The enthusiastic audience applauded non-stop for six minutes and 50 seconds, prompting Lanthimos and his actors to bow repeatedly before leaving the hall hand in hand, forming a human chain.
“Bugonia” the latest Yorgos Lanthimos film starring #EmmaStone earns a 6-minute standing ovation at the #VeniceFilmFestival https://t.co/7qIXnjtYrs pic.twitter.com/p5zgYO0YnT
— Variety (@Variety) August 28, 2025
Red Carpet Glamour and a Surprise Placard
For the occasion, Stone appeared in a stunning white Louis Vuitton gown with delicate straps and silver details, paired with natural makeup and a dazzling cocktail ring. The emotional atmosphere reached a peak when a placard appeared in the theater reading: “Emma, do you want to dance with me?”, which made her burst into laughter.
Alongside her, the cast includes Jesse Plemons, Stavros Halkias, Aidan Delbis and Alicia Silverstone, supporting the impressive ensemble of the film.
The Film and Its Message
“Bugonia,” a dark sci-fi comedy, tells the story of a powerful CEO who is kidnapped by two young conspiracy theorists who believe she is an alien sent to destroy the planet. The film will be released in Greek cinemas on November 6, 2025, marking the fifth collaboration between Stone and Lanthimos.
During the press conference, the Greek director described the film as “a reflection of our times,” stressing that its dystopian elements are not imaginary but rather a mirror of reality: “Humanity will face a critical moment very soon,” he noted, referring to technological challenges, artificial intelligence, wars, and the climate crisis.
The Meaning Behind the Title “Bugonia”
The term “Bugonia” derives from the Greek words bous (ox) and genesis (birth), and refers to an ancient belief according to which bees could be born from the carcass of a dead cow. This reference is echoed in the character played by Jesse Plemons, who portrays a beekeeper in the film.
From Seoul to Venice
“Bugonia” is an English-language remake of the 2003 South Korean film “Save the Green Planet!”. The project began development in 2020 with director Jang Joon-hwan initially at the helm and Will Tracy adapting the script. In 2024, Yorgos Lanthimos took over directing, with Ari Aster as producer and Emma Stone also joining as both actress and producer.
It is worth noting that Lanthimos had expressed his wish to film the final scenes at the Acropolis of Athens, but the request was rejected by Greece’s Central Archaeological Council.