Thodoros Mihopoulos

Thodoros Mihopoulos hooked up with Yorgos Lanthimos for the short film Bleat in 2022, and man, what a visual trip that turned out to be. Mihopoulos handled the cinematography, shooting the whole thing in black-and-white on 35mm film out in Tinos, Greece. There’s just something about that choice—almost like it yanks you out of time. His work’s got this razor-sharp, haunting vibe that fits right in with Lanthimos’ taste for the bizarre. The result? The movie feels both poetic and kind of unnerving, like you’re watching a dream that could easily slide into a nightmare. If you know Mihopoulos’ style from stuff like Before Midnight, you’ll notice he’s all about mood and atmosphere, not showy tricks. Every frame in Bleat feels intentional, raw, a little bit wild. He uses shadows and light like a painter who’s got a grudge against reality. Plus, that location—Tinos—comes alive on screen, all windswept and stark, like the island’s got secrets it’s not telling you. Funny thing, this is the only time these two have teamed up, at least officially. Makes you wonder what else they could’ve pulled off together, huh? Still, even as a one-off, their collaboration leaves a mark. Bleat stands out for how it looks, how it feels, how it lingers after the credits roll. It’s one of those flicks that gets under your skin, thanks in no small part to Mihopoulos’ way of seeing the world through a lens.