Little White Lies’ new issue explores the sick, comic excess of Kinds of Kindness
- Text by David Jenkins
- Illustrations by Tom Humberstone
There’s no-one currently doing it like the Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. Way, way back in 2009, he seemed to arrive from out of the ether with his provocative, transgressive and ruthlessly intelligent feature, Dogtooth, which explored ideas of closed power structures, the limitations of language, and just the general daily freakiness of life on this humble rock.
Fast-forward to 2024, and we’re pleased to let you know that Lanthimos is still out there doing his thing, and is staunchly committed to the button-pushing intellectual template he proposed all those years ago. And that’s even after a lenghty run-in with the Oscar set via his films The Favourite and Poor Things.
His new feature, Kinds of Kindness, comprises a group of characters who essentially live to be told what to do. Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Hong Chao and more assume multiple roles in this triptych of terrible tall tales in which hapless people end up succumbing to some kind of violent self-destruction. It may sound cynical and depressing, but it’s actually hilarious, as Lanthimos remains a deployer pitch black humour in search of his bleak thesis.
Would you like to know more? If so, it’s worth mentioning that Little White Lies have dedicated an entire issue of the magazine to the film, which includes incisive interviews with the teams in front of and behind the camera, and there’s also a special compendium feature from LWLies contributors on the film scenes that have made them physically turn away from the cinema screen
The Kinds of Kindness issue front cover features illustrations from Tom Humberstone, and you can read more about his process here. The issue is available now from all good magazine stockists, but you can also snag a copy through our web shop, or you could make a mega saving by opting to subscribe. Or even better than that, you can get an inside view of the editorial action by signing up to Club LWLies. Anyway, thanks for listening, hope you enjoy the issue, and speak soon.
LWLies 103: The Kinds of Kindness issue is out now.
You might like
A new documentary traces the rise, fall and cratering of VICE
VICE is broke — Streaming on MUBI, it’s presented by chef and filmmaker Eddie Huang, who previously hosted travel and food show Huang’s World for the millennial media giant.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Misan Harriman: “The humanity I bear witness to is extraordinary”
Shoot the People — Following the premiere of a new film exploring the photographer’s work and driving forces, we caught up with him to chat about his rapid rise, shooting protests and the need for powerful documentarians in times of struggle.
Written by: Isaac Muk
In The Road to Patagonia, Matty Hannon holds “a mirror to the human condition”
From tip to tip — More than a surf and travel documentary, the Australian filmmaker meditates on capitalism’s pitfalls and the importance of existing within nature while embarking on a marathon journey from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.
Written by: Sam Haddad
On Alexander Skarsgård’s trousers, The Rehearsal, and the importance of weirdos
Freaks and Finances — In the May edition of our monthly culture newsletter, columnist Emma Garland reflects on the Swedish actor’s Cannes look, Nathan Fielder’s wild ambition, and Jafaican.
Written by: Emma Garland
Remembering Holly Woodlawn, Andy Warhol muse and trans trailblazer
Love You Madly — A new book explores the actress’s rollercoaster life and story, who helped inspire Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A new documentary spotlights Ecuador’s women surfers fighting climate change
Ceibo — Co-directed by Maddie Meddings and Lucy Small, the film focuses on the work and story of Pacha Light, a wave rider who lived off-grid before reconnecting with her country’s activist heritage.
Written by: Hannah Bentley
