Johnny Flynn and Aimee Lou Wood star in “The Idiot(s),” a new biopic about Fyodor Dostoevsky and his lover Anna, directed by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert. The film, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, embraces improvisation and a chaotic depiction of the couple’s relationship during the period Dostoevsky wrote *The Idiot*.
Flynn described the experience as “absolutely nuts” but “brilliant,” and the “best time” he’s ever had on a film set. He was drawn to the script because of its portrayal of the couple as the “engine” behind Dostoevsky’s imaginative storytelling, especially given his prior impact from reading *Crime and Punishment*. He also noted meeting Aimee Lou Wood was a highlight.
Wood recounted a non-conventional initial meeting with Szumowska, where they spent hours discussing astrology and personal life stories before discussing the film. She stated they “just loved each other so much.” The film involves scenes of extreme behavior, with Flynn mentioning instances where they were directed to perform outlandish acts, such as “shitting on your landlady’s doorstep.” The filmmakers encouraged improvisation, leading to a freewheeling and unpredictable creative process.
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