Bugonia screenwriter the writer barely recalls what transpires in Save the Green Planet!. This is somewhat unexpected, given that he crafted the script for the director’s latest adaptation of the 2003 Korean dark sci-fi comedy. Rather than poring over the source material for ideas, the screenwriter behind his previous work viewed the movie once, took a few notes, and got to work.
“I’ve only seen Save the Green Planet the one time,” the screenwriter states. “I didn’t really remember the movie all that well. I didn't want to feel as though I had to be faithfully adapting or recreating or paying tribute to another filmmaker's work. The fairest thing to those movies was to have them be judged separately.”
While the basic plot of a emotionally troubled man (the actor in Bugonia) who kidnaps a pharmaceutical executive he’s certain is an extraterrestrial hiding on Earth is largely the same in each movie, the differences are notable. To start, the writer re-envisioned the executive character, played by a man in the director's original, as a female character. (Lanthimos chose his regular partner the actress in the role.) The conclusions vary a bit too, in the way they address their shared core mystery: Is this person an alien in disguise or not really?
Tracy believes that answer is somewhat beside the point.
“I never was really focused on the twist aspect,” he says. “I didn't want the film to just be a toy that performs a single trick, and then after the reveal, it's like: OK, well, what else does this toy do?”
Nevertheless, he has a lot to discuss on the subject. Our discussion with the screenwriter covered Bugonia’s ending and its implications, along with the ways he and Lanthimos worked together to execute those surprises.
Warning: Complete details follow for the conclusion of Bugonia.
Short answer: Yes.
Just like in the original film, the conclusion of this version discloses that the CEO, a big pharma CEO named her character, is in fact alien royalty in hiding. Once she manipulates her kidnapper Teddy (the actor) into killing himself using her advanced device, Fuller transports to her alien vessel.
The reality that this comes as a surprise is a proof to her performance. Throughout the 118-minute film, she keeps audiences guessing through a complex portrayal that may take multiple viewings to fully understand.
“She frequently discussed how it was the first time she had to give a performance where she felt she had to be aware of people watching the movie a second time. What the repeat viewers are going to perceive,” Tracy explains. "She knew the second time a person watches this film, They are aware I am conscious of… understand?”
He trails off, before continuing, “Thus, her performance needed to reflect of that in her performance.”
Once the CEO ultimately shows her true nature, we get a brief glimpse of her spaceship and fellow aliens before the film concludes. Their vessel has a unique design, which Tracy shares was intended to look like a marine animal while avoiding futuristic aesthetics.
“[Yorgos] was really fascinated by almost like a jellyfish-inspired shape for the vessel, something very natural,” Tracy comments.
They should feel oddly somewhat tribal or ancient.
The aliens' clothing is just as interesting as their vessel: rounded dress-like garments made from thick, woven cords. Again, the aim was to go against conventional science fiction.
“Regarding the attire, rather than being futuristic, they [were meant to|aimed to] feel strangely somewhat tribal or primitive, and yet also quite ornate and sophisticated, because it's a very detailed and elegant creation on those unusual woven outfits,” Tracy says. He adds that the director “thought of it as being a very ancient civilization. He disliked the notion of any element being smooth and metallic, or a hyper-futuristic look.”
Perhaps the most significant change between the new film and the original is that in the first version, the extraterrestrials respond to their leader's kidnapping and mistreatment by blowing up the world. This adaptation takes a somewhat more nuanced method, with its beings opting to eliminate all mankind, while keeping the planet and its remaining creatures unharmed.
“What I wanted to do in the script was a vision of Earth after humanity,” Tracy explains.
In the movie’s final moments, we see a series of shots of life across the planet. Every person lie dead where they were standing moments earlier, but the world continues. How viewers, are supposed to make of these events is open to discussion. Is the ending of the film optimistic or pessimistic? Are people fated to perish or deserving of rescue? Is the planet be improved without us?
Tracy isn’t willing to offer a clear resolution either way.
“Some people see it as a extremely dark ending, or a sad finale, a despairing outcome,” he says. “Other people see it as being a oddly optimistic or positive ending. I think there are various interpretations to read it.”
The film is currently in limited theatrical release now, with a broader opening on Halloween.
Elara is a passionate writer and photographer who shares insights on creativity and mindful living through engaging storytelling.
