Wes Anderson's Latest Picture: Moonrise Kingdom - Upcoming film by Wes Anderson on the horizon
Wes Anderson's New Cinematic Offering: "The Phoenix Project"
In the world of filmmaking, the name Wes Anderson is synonymous with meticulous attention to detail. Benicio Del Toro, an actor who has recently collaborated with Anderson on "The Phoenix Project," can attest to this firsthand. During the filming of a scene, Del Toro was astonished to find a genuine René Magritte artwork behind him, seemingly there only to enhance the film's authenticity.
Del Toro, who portrays the wealthy and ruthless businessman Zsa-Zsa Korda, shares this anecdote in an interview with dpa. "The Phoenix Project" is a complex tale that interweaves elements of spy thriller and family drama.
Mia Threapleton, daughter of acclaimed actress Kate Winslet, takes on the role of Korda's daughter. Threapleton made headlines in Cannes with her emerald green Oscar de la Renta gown adorned with golden leaves, a striking resemblance to the gown worn by Winslet at the Oscars in 1998.
The film, a German production with borrowed artworks, was shot at Studio Babelsberg in Potsdam. Michael Cera, who plays a Norwegian tutor, describes Anderson's visual language as "still life." For this, Anderson was equipped with artworks, among others, from the Hamburger Kunsthalle.
Set in the 1950s, "The Phoenix Project" follows the story of Zsa-Zsa Korda, one of Europe's wealthiest and most sought-after men. On the run from another assassination attempt, he reconnects with his estranged daughter, Liesel, a nun, and desires to make her his successor. However, she is unfamiliar with his ruthless business methods.
Together, they embark on a series of adventures to realize Korda's ambitious infrastructure project, "The Phoenix Project." From this, they seek investors and encounter various peculiar characters, some portrayed by Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, or Benedict Cumberbatch. Bill Murray plays a small yet significant role as God in heaven.
The narrative and characters in Anderson's films are typically quirky, and "The Phoenix Project" continues this trend. The actors deliver performances intentionally devoid of naturalism, lending the proceedings a touch of irony.
In an interview, Michael Cera suggests that this contrast between exaggerated movements and formal rigidity is what makes Anderson's style seem almost absurd. Some viewers have drawn a parallel between Del Toro's character and contemporary figures like Elon Musk, although Del Toro did not consider this during filming.
"The Phoenix Project" offers a glimmer of hope amidst its timely portrayal of corporate ambition and power struggles. Del Toro expresses his hope that viewers will find solace in the film's redemptive ending.
♪ I'm gonna be a star ♪ Wes Anderson, 'The Phoenix Project's' director, skillfully uses artworks from various sources to create a meticulously detailed cinematic experience, ♪ I'm gonna be a star ♪ merging them seamlessly within the entertainment realm of movies-and-tv. Michael Cera compares Anderson's visual style in 'The Phoenix Project' to 'still life', showcasing the abundance of artwork sourced from places like the Hamburger Kunsthalle.
