The Athens International Film Festival “Nyxtes Premieras” returns for its 31st year, filling the city’s cinemas with screenings until October 12. The opening ceremony at the Athens Concert Hall last night was especially memorable, featuring the highly anticipated new film by Oscar-winning Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, titled “Bugonia.”

Lanthimos attended the premiere in person and took the stage to speak to the audience—bringing with him a surprise. Specifically, the director played an audio message from Emma Stone, the star and muse of the film, who couldn’t travel to Athens. The twist? The message was in Greek.

“I want to share with you a very special talent Emma Stone has. Although she doesn’t actually speak Greek, beyond a couple of words, she knows the Greek alphabet perfectly and can read any text—even if she doesn’t understand what it means. So, I wrote something in Greek and asked her to record it for us,” Lanthimos explained.

In the audio recording, Emma Stone is heard saying:

“Good evening. I would have loved to be with you at the first screening of Bugonia in Greece, but unfortunately, the teleportation didn’t work. I wish you a great screening and a good evening.”

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The audience reacted with warm applause and smiles, as expected.

About the Film

Lanthimos’ new film, starring Emma Stone, follows the story of two young men, conspiracy theorists who kidnap the CEO of a large corporation, convinced she is an alien plotting to destroy Earth.

Watch the trailer