Ryan's Bee Suits: Alien Encounters on Set

Irish cinematographer Robbie Ryan, known for his Oscar-nominated work with Yorgos Lanthimos, discusses the visual creation of the film "Bugonia." The movie's narrative, which involves a pharmaceutical CEO believed to be an alien, draws inspiration from an ancient Greek belief about bees. Ryan recounts the unique experience of filming an actual beehive on set, where the crew donned bee suits, likening the scene to astronauts landing on an alien planet.

Central to the film's aesthetic is the portrayal of Emma Stone's character, who Ryan notes has a striking appearance with her head shaved and covered in cream. He prioritized capturing her raw look, inspired by the human face as a focal point. Lanthimos implemented a progressive lighting plan for the basement setting, gradually revealing more of the space as the narrative unfolded, enhancing the sense of confinement and discovery.

An accidental visual element emerged when pink insulation on the basement walls, illuminated by tungsten lights and captured on daytime film stock, created a vibrant scarlet color. Instead of correcting this, the filmmakers incorporated it, finding it fitting for the story's progression. Ryan emphasizes Lanthimos' editorial mindset during filming and expresses pride in how the movie sparks conversation about humanity's place and awareness.