‘Bugonia’ Composer Jerskin Fendrix Scored Yorgos Lanthimos’ Film Without Ever Reading the Script: ‘It Was Unconventional’
In a bold and creative departure from traditional scoring methods, composer Jerskin Fendrix took on the challenge of crafting the soundtrack for Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest film, “Bugonia,” without ever laying eyes on its script. Known for his innovative collaborations, Fendrix embraced the unconventional directive as Lanthimos sought a fresh approach to the project. This creative venture resulted in a unique musical landscape that defies typical expectations, making the film’s score a topic of intrigue and discussion.
Unique Collaboration with Lanthimos
Fendrix’s collaboration with Lanthimos began in 2023, marking a distinct deviation from their usual process. Lanthimos, known for pushing creative boundaries, requested that Fendrix neither read the script nor watch the 2003 South Korean film “Save the Green Planet!” on which “Bugonia” is based. This marked a new chapter for the duo, contrasting with past projects where Fendrix had access to scripts and concept art.
A Three-Word Challenge
Instead of traditional guidance, Lanthimos provided Fendrix with just three words: bees, basement, and spaceship. “If you’ve seen the film, it makes sense. However, without having seen the film, it was quite challenging to identify the commonalities between those three concepts. If anything, it was unconventional,” Fendrix admits. Despite the ambiguity, he found the approach invigorating.
Exploring Themes Through Music
Fendrix dove deep into research around these themes. “I looked into the different meanings and applications they could have and then tried to see what kind of connective tissue I could find between them before actually writing the music,” he explains. His exploration led him to intriguing insights, particularly about bees. “Bees have an interesting and familiar sound which is employed a great deal in the film,” he notes. The geometric complexity of honeycombs inspired him, reflecting broader themes of systems and architecture.
Reflective Scoring Decisions
The score for “Bugonia” weaves together diverse elements: orchestral compositions for spaceships, synthesizer-driven themes for basement scenes, and a blend of both for bees. Interestingly, Lanthimos’s final choice was to use synthesizer music for the film’s climactic spaceship scene, keeping the sound ambient and subtly alien. “The spaceship music is quite ambient and peaceful in a certain way, but also alien in a sense,” Fendrix describes, highlighting the unexpected paths this innovative project took.
