LONDON — From Thursday to Jan. 19 the Barbican Centre will exhibit the costumes from “Poor Things,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ upcoming film.
To accompany the exhibition, two screenings of the film will be held on Thursday, ahead of its Jan. 12 U.K. release date.
A surrealist’s delight, the film is a literal take on girlhood: once-dead Bella Baxter, played by Emma Stone, has been brought back to life by mad scientist-cum-father figure, Dr. Godwin Baxter, played by Willem Dafoe.
Bella’s brain replaced with that of a baby.
As she adjusts to her new brain, Bella has the mentality of a toddler, something reflected in her wardrobe. Relearning to walk, she totters in ruffled baby-doll dresses, Victorian bloomers paired with puff-sleeved tops and even a bustle cage sans cover.
The film follows her on her quest to experience the world in her own terms, free from the male gaze that’s been imposed on her; as Bella matures, so does her wardrobe — with designs recalling confectionary delights soon discarded for a coat akin to a condom.
In one scene, Stone sports a coat akin to a condom.
Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures / Yorgos Lanthimos
“I’m delighted that these costumes are going to be on display in this great iconic building. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Barbican — its thrilling architecture and all the wonderful things that go on here. I’m excited for visitors to the Barbican to be able to see these costumes up close,” said Holly Waddington, the film’s costume designer.
The head of the Barbican’s cinema division, Gali Gold, said she was thrilled about the exhibition and screening.
“We are always looking for new ways to engage our audiences in the transformative power of film and it’s a huge privilege to be able to showcase Holly Waddington’s extraordinary talent with these daring and irresistible costumes, which really bring the film to life. We’re also delighted to be able to offer our audiences exclusive previews of the film, which is already hailed as a masterpiece,” she added.