MACK Books is set to release a unique visual exploration by acclaimed filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, titled i shall sing these songs beautifully. This book of photographs, captured by Lanthimos during the production of his film Kinds of Kindness, offers an intriguing new perspective on the cinematic world.
Kinds of Kindness, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, stars a distinguished ensemble including Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Plemons, Margaret Qualley, Joe Alwyn, and Hunter Schafer. The film earned Lanthimos a Palme d’Or nomination and saw Jesse Plemons take home the Best Actor award. The cinematic work combines three interconnected narratives, and Lanthimos’ new book serves as a fourth narrative, expanding on the film’s universe through a different medium.
Michael Mack, founder of MACK Books, highlighted the innovative approach of the publication. “Unlike most books on cinema, this volume is not a piece of memorabilia focused on famous cast members or recognizable scenes. Yorgos’ photographs use the cast and set locations in a subtle way, drawing on his distinctive visual style to create a new story through the book format,” he explained.
The book does not follow the film’s chronological sequence but instead presents the photographs as fragments of a separate, evocative narrative. The images are accompanied by new short texts written by Lanthimos, which evoke a fragmented poetic quality reminiscent of Sappho’s lyricism. This approach aligns with MACK Books’ mission to produce works that stand alone as artworks in their own right, rather than mere extensions of cinematic content.
Lanthimos, known for his distinct and often unsettling visual storytelling in films such as The Lobster, The Favourite, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and Dogtooth, applies his unique visual language to the realm of photography in this project. i shall sing these songs beautifully not only complements his film but also serves as an independent artistic statement.
MACK Books has a history of publishing works that straddle the line between cinema and fine art. The success of Sofia Coppola’s ARCHIVE, which sold over 100,000 copies worldwide, reflects the publisher’s commitment to this cross-disciplinary space. The partnership with Lanthimos and the upcoming collaboration with A24 signify MACK’s continued dedication to exploring the intersections of film and visual art through book publishing.
For those intrigued by the intersection of film and photography, i shall sing these songs beautifully promises to be a captivating addition. The book will be available through MACK Books and provides a unique opportunity to engage with Lanthimos’ creative vision beyond the confines of cinema.
