Classic and Indie Film Series: BUGONIA (2025)

I thought some of you might like to see this one before the Academy Awards. It's strange title and even odder marketing campaign caused it to disappear from theaters pretty quickly, although it did stream for awhile. According to JustWatch, my go to for figuring out where stuff is streaming at any one time, Bugonia is only available for rental on limited services. So here's your chance to see this for free.

Nominated for four Oscars, let me begin by saying that I do not think BUGONIA is going to win Best Picture. Our current political situation will have Academy voters leaning towards other very deserving films. However, I will also say I would not consider it a grave injustice if BUGONIA did win. And I think it would be a shame for BUGONIA to somehow get lost in the shuffle of history. It is truly an original work of art and a fascinating piece of filmmaking.

Now I say "original" with an asterisk. BUGONIA is a remake of a "crazy" 2003 Korean cult film called SAVE THE GREEN PLANET!. I have not seen this original film, but considering the filmmakers who were involved here, I have to believe they added their own unique touches to the source material. And they do credit the original Korean screenwriter. It is a testament to the bones of a good story that BUGONIA feels like it was specifically written for America in 2025 and not for Korea in 2003.

Credit the director Yugos Lanthimos (THE LOBSTER (2015), THE FAVOURITE (2018), which started his long-time collaboration with Emma Stone, the surprise Oscar darling POOR THINGS (2023), and last year's strange KINDS OF KINDNESS (2024)), and director Ari Aster, who first attempted to get this film made a few years ago. Emma Stone is once again along for the ride, with her performance once again nominated for an Oscar. Jesse Plemons, who reminds me more and more of the reincarnation of Philip Seymour Hoffman, also has a breakout role here.

The story is almost too strange to get into without spoiling it, but sufficeth to say it s a sci-fi darkly comedic satiric psychological thriller with distinct attempts at social commentary. You could have used the same sentence to describe POOR THINGS when it was released, but while that movie felt fantastic and stylized, BUGONIA feels almost too real despite its outrageous premise. We know these people. We see them almost every day in modern America. What should be a fun, kind of strange romp starts to feel a little too close to home, and before you know it you start to feel really uncomfortable.

Its amazing for a filmmaker to be able to do this once in his or her career. Lorgos seems to do it in every movie, and especially since pairing up with Stone. His stuff may not be for everyone, but it also should not be ignored by anyone who wants a little bizarre flavor with their independent cinema.

Presenting our Indie & Classic Movie Series, where we'll all get together to watch a variety of classic and independent films.

I have the movies. I have the projector. I have a big 10 foot roll down screen and nice padded chairs and room for about 15 people in my living toom

I'll have some stuff to nibble on and some drinks, but feel free to bring other stuff if you want. Per policy I do not serve alcohol (don't want the liability), but feel free to bring your own.

We'll socialize for about a half hour before the movie, which will start promptly at 7:00.

CARPOOLS - My parking around here really is limited thanks to overbuilding on nearby lots, so carpooling is encouraged.

In keeping with the general idea of this group, we will have a short discussion about the film and the filmmakers before and after the movie. I hope you'll participate.

Hope to see you there.