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Boston Globe
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
A Maine campground rents cabins inspired by Wes Anderson films. Is it worth $500 a night to live like a Tenenbaum?
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up I thought carefully before making a reservation. Isn't camping supposed to be one of the last bastions of affordable options for a family vacation? A quick look at websites for campgrounds across New England and the country showed that prices have risen steadily since the pandemic. In the summer of 2020, people wanted to be outside, which pushed up prices. As we all know, what goes up doesn't come down when there's high demand. Advertisement Keys hang inside the Crossed Keys Society cabin at Sandy Pines Campground in Kennebunkport, Maine. The campground is now renting cottages that were designed around Wes Anderson films. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff Advertisement But, oh my, it's Wes Anderson. This was truly a sticky wicket. A devil (dressed as Willem Dafoe from what's wrong with you? As you may have gathered from the headline of this story and my general lack of restraint, I bit the bullet and made a reservation. The nine Anderson-themed cabins are more than camping or even glamping. They're essentially well-appointed double-wide trailers with enclosed three-season sunrooms and decor intended to give you the essence of living in an Anderson film. The exterior of the Crossed Keys Society cabin at Sandy Pines Campground in Kennebunkport, Maine. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff Of the nine cabin options, appropriately called Whimsical Escapes, the only one available for the days I could whimsically escape to Maine was inspired by I knew I'd found the right people for the job when I showed my dad the trailer for 'The Grand Budapest Hotel,' and he asked, baffled, 'I don't understand. Is it supposed to be a comedy?' This apple fell far from the family tree, then rolled down a hill to Advertisement Paul Schlase as Igor, Tony Revelori as Zero, Tilda Swinton as Madame D., and Ralph Fiennes as M. Gustave in "The Grand Budapest Hotel." I was hoping to show my parents 'The Grand Budapest Hotel,' along with several other Anderson films, during our $1,664.43, three-night stay at Sandy Pines, but the smart television in our cabin was glitchy — more than glitchy. There were several occasions when it simply spat out error messages, and the live cable cut in and out. I think my dad was pleased at the malfunction because it meant he had an excuse not to watch Anderson's catalog of films. This could be solved by supplying each cabin with a full library of Anderson films, either on DVD or a dedicated streaming service. I tried mirroring the screen of my MacBook to the TV and received an error message. The same thing happened when I tried to watch through one of the apps on the TV. None worked. The other issue, brought to my attention many times by my temperature-sensitive parents, was the cabin's climate controls. We found them confusing, and the instructions on how to use them were minimal. When we arrived, it took us a while to shut off the air conditioner. It was so chilly that I wished I had Margot Tenenbaum's fur coat. Sandy Pines Campground in Maine is now renting cabins based on Wes Anderson's films. This is the interior of the Cross Keys Society cabin. Christopher Muther/Boston Globe Normally, I wouldn't kvetch about small details, but given the price tag, I decided to review this cabin as if it were a luxury hotel. The cabin sleeps seven, but that means two of the seven would need to sleep in a very low-ceilinged upstairs loft. Great for kids, not so much for others. A couple more nitpicky items before we get to the good stuff: The internet was barely there. I understand that the point of camping in coastal Maine is to spend time at the beach and get greasy at clam shacks, but it's 2025, and fast, or at least functional, internet should be standard. I was warned when checking in that the internet was problematic. Those who need reliable internet can work in the campground's stylish and comfortable lobby area, but when you need to check email before bed and you've already set your hair in curlers for the night and are sporting a face full of Advertisement One of the bedrooms inside the Crossed Keys Society cabin at Sandy Pines Campground. The campground now rents a group of cabins based on the films of director Wes Anderson. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff My mother's biggest complaint was that no boxes of tissues were provided. She was also taken aback that the dish towels were from Walmart. I took issue with the off-brand toiletries. Not a problem if I was roughing it in a tent, or even glamping in one of Sandy Pines' many tents or standard cabins (the campground covers 66 acres), but not in my posh, pricey Anderson-inspired Crossed Keys Society escape. Toiletries were from a company called Eco Novo Natura, which sells primarily to hotels. A case of 400, .5-ounce bottles of the company's shampoo costs $77. At 19 cents a bottle, Gwyneth Paltrow probably wouldn't shampoo her dog with it. Sandy Pines Campground in Maine is now renting pricey cabins based on Wes Anderson's films. This is the exterior view at night. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff Enough complaining (finally!). The positives: I was impressed that the space had a large kitchen with full-size appliances. It meant we could cook meals in the cabin, although we never did. I was also impressed that the space actually felt like a unique residence rather than a boring, neutral hotel room or beachside getaway. Some furniture, light fixtures, and tchotchkes had clearly been sourced at antiques markets, or at least Facebook Marketplace. There was nothing nautical in sight, but there were nods to Anderson on almost every wall. Which, if you're an Anderson fan, is fun. If you're not an Anderson fan, it's still novel. Advertisement As a campground, Sandy Pines is incredibly well-run, and the staff is helpful and friendly. It's clean, quiet, and set along a scenic salt marsh where you can rent a canoe or paddleboard. It has several recreation areas with a bocce court, volleyball, cornhole, and a large pool. Sadly, there's no A look at the pool at Sandy Pines Campground in Kennebunkport, Maine. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff I enjoyed the combination of roughing it and staying in a comfortable cabin (once we figured out the heat). We could sit outside by the fire and make s'mores or relax inside by the gas fireplace. It's something I'd never experienced at a campground. This is glamping turned up to 11. There are more rustic cabins here, as well as more sumptuously furnished tents. Both options are much less expensive and offer a somewhat more traditional camping experience. For those with their own tents or trailers, Sandy Pines also has standard campground hook-ups. Do I wish the cabins had a bit more Anderson flavor? Totally. A plot point in 'Grand Budapest' is the painting 'Boy with Apple.' I would have loved to have seen a replica of the painting in the cabin. I decided to bring my portable record player and Françoise Hardy vinyl to spin to add to the atmosphere. But a record player and vinyl provided in each cabin would be a fun touch. Advertisement The author brought his own records and record player to Sandy Pines Campground to get the full Wes Anderson experience. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff The difficult part of writing this story is answering the question: Is it worth it? I'll start with what my parents thought. Both graded it a C, or three out of five stars. As an Anderson fan, I'll go a bit higher. I'd give it a B, or four stars. The campground manager said they're working on the internet and offered to look at the problematic television. I also understand that there are kinks to be worked out. It's a campground, not a hotel, and therefore some of the hiccups might be new to management. As an Anderson fan, I appreciate the effort and novelty of the cabins. I also think the campground is lovely and efficient. Perhaps it would be worth it if they knocked $100 off the price and reduced the minimum stay to two nights. Even with the flaws, I would stay here again. I still have eight other movie cabins to explore. Christopher Muther can be reached at
Eater
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
These Wes Anderson-Esque TikToks Are Love Letters to San Francisco Food and Drink
is the associate editor for the Northern California and Pacific Northwest region writing about restaurant and bar trends, coffee and cafes, and pop-ups. Kelsey Wu watched a lot of movies growing up in Cupertino. She'd revel in the purple- and pink-hued medium-tight shots in The Grand Budapest Hotel. Then she'd watch Wong Kar Wai's In the Mood for Love, drinking in all the vibrant colors and engrossing contrast. Whenever her dad, a photography nerd, would head to San Francisco for a shoot, she'd tag along to capture what she could. Now she's graduated Harvard and lives in the city, working as a project manager at Salesforce and exploring the Bay Area through a new lens. Her first foray has been 'Stories from San Francisco,' a catalogue of TikTok mini documentaries, just a few minutes long at the most, covering the city's cherished food and beverage industry. Her videos on Foreign Cinema, Baklava Story, and Chocolate Covered have racked up hundreds of thousands of views. Most importantly, the quality behind Wu's work is immediately apparent — no influencer vlogging tropes to be found. 'I loved the city as a kid,' Wu says. 'I was so excited to come back. Everyone has a unique story to tell.' Kelsey Wu working on her mini-documentary about Koolfi Creamery. Kelsey Wu The idea came naturally to her, as in it was not premeditated. After relocating to Duboce Triangle post-grad, she encouraged herself to get into the small businesses and cafes that made up her new home. WuShe says it's easy to get caught in a tech bubble, and she wanted to do her work to keep her feet planted in the San Francisco outside of all that, too. Her work lands somewhere between Chef's Table and those artful dramas from her youth. There's a heavy dose of PBS's Brief but Spectacular and Humans of New York in there, too. The cross-section is evident in each video, Wu herself entirely out of frame and dialogue while her subjects discuss the effort behind the curtain. The first documentary she put together was on Lombard Street's Kopiku. The owner, Adhi, is a vibrant, thoughtful character. Wu says she looks for these neighborhood pillars. Further, she advocates for Asian American workers and entrepreneurs with her work. 'It's good to reconnect with the people who really make this city San Francisco,' Wu says. 'I figured it'd be awesome to find some way to support them, be creative, and get back in touch with the camera.' She brings a Canon R6 Mark Two, equipping them with her dad's pricey lenses. A friend gifted her a DGI Mic set to set up conversations. So whether it's the husband-and-wife team at That's My Jam or the young gun combo at Paper Son and Tano, Wu says she plans to keep making her videos surveying all San Francisco has to offer and the tales behind those treats. 'I'm just enjoying it for now,' Wu says. 'It's that idea of sonder. I'm going to keep on making my videos.' Eater SF All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Chicago Tribune
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
‘The Phoenician Scheme' review: Wes Anderson and Co. embark on an elaborate save-a-soul mission
A peculiar tension exists inside nearly every frame created by writer-director Wes Anderson. The geometric visual preoccupation of the framing; the actors, sometimes in motion but more frequently motionless; the manifestation of storytelling as a series of the prettiest shoebox dioramas in modern cinema: It's more than a style or a look to Anderson. It's his way of seeing the world through a lens of comic stoicism, right at the edge of art-installation territory. The tension in those images comes from two places. The unfortunate place: When the comic banter or monologuing strains for laughs, or goes sideways, it sometimes dies an extra, tiny, momentary death because of the arch, extreme formality of the presentation. The more fortunate source of tension is where the actors live. In Anderson's lavishly talented ensembles, the majority of the performers fulfill the basic requirements of being in a Wes Anderson movie, which can involve spitting out long reams of dialogue quickly, directly, without a lot of sauce. It also involves the task of portraying a human in a specific realm of unreality and in a kind of permanent repose, even in motion. But hitting the marks and holding the pose isn't enough. There's movement, of course, in every Anderson comedy, and in the best ones, the movement and the sight gags are funnier because of the stillness surrounding that movement. Whatever you want to call Anderson's universe — I'll go with Deadpandia — it's not easy to activate as a performer. When the right actor wriggles free of the constraints and finds a rhythm, a heartbeat and a human spark, it's magic. Benicio Del Toro is the star of 'The Phoenician Scheme,' Anderson's 12th and latest. But the ringer is Michael Cera, as Norwegian tutor Bjørn Lund, employed as an all-purpose factotum by the shady, swaggering, death-defying entrepreneur played by Del Toro. In one go, Cera joins the top tier of Anderson alums, which includes Ralph Fiennes ('The Grand Budapest Hotel,' 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar') and, from Anderson's earlier, looser years, Gene Hackman and Anjelica Huston ('The Royal Tenenbaums') and, of course, Bill Murray in everything (he has a brief cameo here, as God). Cera is terrifically subtle in everything he does, from pricelessly cheap dialect humor to sudden bursts of jealousy. He's delightful, even if 'The Phoenician Scheme' is only occasionally that. The movie's largely about other characters. A frequent target of assassins, forever surviving plane crashes in between business deals, Anatole 'Zsa-zsa' Korda (Del Toro) embarks on the riskiest development project of his life, indicated by Anderson's title. It consists of a dam, tunnels, a canal and a general colonialist ravaging of a desert region (fictional, but with plenty of real-world Middle Eastern inspirations). Funding this beast means negotiating with several investors, among them a French nightclub owner (Mathieu Amalric), a pair of American industrialists (Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston) and, above all, Korda's estranged daughter, Liesl, a cynical novitiate and Korda's intended heiress, played by Mia Threapleton. 'The Phoenician Scheme' is a tale of what money can buy, and what money can't. Stringing episodes together, screenwriter Anderson (working from a story co-created by Roman Coppola) treats Korda as a cocky survivor of fabulous riches. Through his adventures in fundraising, and realization that he won't last forever, Korda learns from Liesl a little about what makes a legacy important. Meantime, he negotiates family matters with his 10 young sons and his scowling brother, Uncle Nubar (Benedict Cumberbatch), who may be Liesl's father, and whose massive woodcut of a beard comes straight from Orson Welles' billionaire in 'Mr. Arkadin.' The overall vibe of fishy exoticism owes something to 'Mr. Arkadin' as well. Anderson works here with a cinematographer new to him, the excellent Bruno Delbonnel, shooting on 35mm film. Anderson regulars Adam Stockhausen (production design, first-rate) and Milena Canonero (costume design, brilliant and vibrant as always) evoke a dreamlike 1950s setting in every soundstage-bound detail. And the story? Well, it has a little problem with over-elaboration. 'The Phoenician Scheme' follows a relatively straightforward narrative line, ticking off chapters as Korda addresses each of his prized (and literal) shoeboxes of research and minutiae regarding the massively disruptive, slave labor-dependent construction project. It's easier to parse what's going on here compared to the hyperlinking and layering of 'The French Dispatch' and 'Asteroid City.' But the protagonist is a bit of a bore. And somehow, right now, on planet Earth in 2025, a movie about a craven oligarch on a spree hits a mixed chord, let's say. It is, however, striking to see what happens in the epilogue of this up-and-down Anderson film, when Del Toro — who looks splendid but struggles to locate a lightness of touch the material could use — finally gets a few moments of on-screen relaxation in the epilogue. That's by design: He is not the same person at the end of his story. But I wonder if Anderson erred in maintaining such a tight hold on Del Toro and Threapleton en route to the story destination. A beautiful mixed bag, let's say, all told. But I'll see 'The Phoenician Scheme' a second time sometime for Cera, who will surely return to the Anderson fold. 'The Phoenician Scheme' — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: PG-13 (for violent content, bloody images, some sexual material, nude images, and smoking throughout) Running time: 1:45 How to watch: Premieres in theaters June 6
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Ballerina' and 'The Phoenician Scheme' are among the new movies in Milwaukee this week
Assassins and Wes Anderson should keep you on your, well, toes at the movies this weekend. Here's what's new in Milwaukee-area theaters starting June 6, as well as some of the new movies available on streaming and on demand this week. Short version: Ana de Armas plays a dancer who sets out to become a master assassin to get revenge for her father's death in this violent 'John Wick' spinoff, set between the third and fourth movies in the franchise. Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston and the late Lance Reddick (in his final movie) return from the 'John Wick' realm, and are joined by a supporting cast including Norman Reedus, Gabriel Byrne and Catalina Sandino Moreno. Where you can see it: ACX Cinema/Bayshore; AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres' Bistroplex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Silverspot Cinema; Times Cinema. Short version: In Wes Anderson's latest confection, a wealthy tycoon (Benicio Del Toro) appoints his only daughter, a nun (Mia Threapleton), as his sole heir — making both of them the target of terrorists, assassins and plotting business rivals. Anderson has lined up his usual stellar supporting cast — including Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston, Jeffrey Wright, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hanks, Bill Murray, Michael Cera and Appleton native Willem Dafoe — as well as frequent collaborator and Brookfield native Adam Stockhausen, the director's go-to production designer who won an Oscar for his work on 'The Grand Budapest Hotel.' Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Avalon Theater; Marcus Theatres' Majestic, Menomonee Falls, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Oriental Theatre. Short version: A surfer (Hassie Harrison) must figure out how to free herself from the boat of a shark-obsessed serial killer (Jai Courtney), who plans to feed her to the sharks as part of a ritual in this horror thriller. Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres' Hillside, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas. Short version: Dan Stevens and Al Pacino play priests called on to perform a series of exorcisms to save a young woman's soul in this horror thriller. It's based on the true story of Emma Schmidt, the Milwaukee native who survived a series of exorcisms in the 1920s — and whose story inspired 'The Exorcist.' Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres' Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas. Short version: A couple (Nick Kroll, Andrew Rannells) about to adopt their first child take a pre-adoption trip to Italy, but their disastrous journey could ruin everything in this dark comedy. Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres' South Shore Cinema. Short version: A pair of friends — one believes in ghosts but not aliens, and the other believes the opposite — have more adventures in the first three episodes of the second season of the popular anime series, shown as a feature film. Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres' Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas. Pop star Miley Cyrus co-wrote and directed 'Miley Cyrus: Something Beautiful,' a pop-opera version of her latest album. It's showing in theaters, including Marcus Theatres' Majestic and South Shore cinemas, at 6:30 p.m. June 12. Tickets are $18. Info: Two music documentaries from past Milwaukee Film Festivals return to the Oriental Theatre. "Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted," which recounts cult R&B star Swamp Dogg's efforts to turn his suburban home into an artistic playground, comes back after showing at the 2024 film festival. It's screening at 10 p.m. June 6, 6 p.m. June 8, 7:30 p.m. June 10 and 7 p.m. June 10. Tickets are $13. Info: 'Pavements,' the mashup documentary about the popular alt-rock band Pavement, returns to the Oriental after screening at the 2025 film fest. It's showing at 3:30 p.m. June 6, 9:15 p.m. June 7, noon June 8, and 7:30 p.m. June 9 and 11. Tickets are $11. Info: Milwaukee Film celebrates the returns of both summer and Pride Month with a series of movies that (mostly) embrace the spirit of camp. Showing this week: John Waters' 'Polyester,' 7:30 p.m. June 6; 'Xanadu,' 3 p.m. June 7-8; and 'Grease 2,' 9:30 p.m. June 12. Tickets are $13. Info: The Milky Way Drive-In — the outdoor theater in the parking lot at Franklin's Ballpark Commons, 7035 S. Ballpark Drive — is showing a double feature of 'Herbie: Fully Loaded' and 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby' at 6:30 p.m. June 12. Admission is $35 per carload. Info: RELATED: Milky Way Drive-In in Franklin is returning for the 2025 season. Here's what to know Elm Grove: The village's Friday Flicks series is showing 'Lady and the Tramp' at 8:30 p.m. June 6 at the Elm Grove Village Park Pavilion, 13600 Juneau Blvd. Info: Glendale/Bayshore: The Glendale retail complex at 5800 N. Bayshore Drive kicks off its Family Flicks series with 'Wicked,' showing at 5:30 p.m. June 11 in The Yard, the center's outdoor expanse. Info: Greendale: The village's movie series, organized by Gift of Wings, is screening 'Inside Out 2' at dusk on June 7 in Greendale Gazebo Park, 5710 Broad St. Info: Milwaukee/Deer District: The plaza outside Fiserv Forum at 1111 N. Phillips Ave. is joining forces with Milwaukee Film for a series of family-friendly movies in the plaza's Beer Garden. The first movie: 'Moana 2' at 7:30 p.m. June 12. Info: Oconomowoc/Moonlit Movies: The Moonlit Movies series starts its 2025 run with 'Moana 2' at dusk on June 12 in Fowler Park. Info: West Milwaukee/West Allis: The West Allis/West Milwaukee Recreation & Community Services Department starts its Summer Movie Nights with a screening (movie to be announced) at 6:30 p.m. June 12 in West Milwaukee Park, 5000 W. Burnham St. Info: West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation & Community Services Facebook page. RELATED: Where you can find free outdoor movies in the Milwaukee area this summer Once a month, Neighborhood Theater Group's theaters go 'classic' with a perennial favorite. Showing this week: 'Spaceballs,' 7 p.m. June 12 at the Avalon Theater; 'Caddyshack,' 7 p.m. June 12 at the Rosebud Cinema; and 'Twister,' 7 p.m. June 11 at the Times Cinema. Tickets are $10. Info: Marcus Theatres starts its Kids Dream summer series — $3 screenings of family-friendly movies at all eight area Marcus theaters — June 8-12 with 'Despicable Me 4.' Info: Let's Dig In, a series of movies on environmental issues, continues with '32 Sounds' at noon June 7. Screenings in the series include post-movie discussions and even a farmers market in the lobby of the Oriental Theatre, where it's taking place. Tickets are $13. Info: 'Sew Torn': A struggling seamstress stumbles on a drug deal gone bad has three options — and we see them play out, one at a time, in this dark, 'Run Lola Run'-style caper comedy. Available June 13. Recent releases newly available on demand: "Hurry Up Tomorrow," June 6; "The Amateur," June 10; 'When Fall Is Coming,' June 10; "Things Like This," June 10. 'Tyler Perry's Straw': Taraji P. Henson plays a single mother who, after a series of personal disasters, takes an unexpected way out — holding up a bank — in this drama written and directed by Tyler Perry. Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Rockmond Dunbar and Sinbad co-star. On Netflix June 6. 'Predator: Killer of Killers': Three ultimate human warriors find the tables turned when one of those master hunter-killer monsters begins pursuing them in this animated installment in the 'Predator' series. On Hulu June 6. 'Deep Cover': A police detective (Sean Bean) recruits a trio of hapless improv actors (Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed) to infiltrate London's criminal underworld in this crime comedy. On Prime Video June 12. 'Titan: The OceanGate Disaster': This new documentary explores the doomed underwater voyage of the submersible vessel Titan, which imploded on its first trip killing all five on board. On Netflix June 11. Recent releases newly available on streaming services: 'The Alto Knights,' Max June 6; 'Parthenope,' Max June 6; 'Piece by Piece,' Netflix June 7; 'Drive-Away Dolls,' Peacock June 12. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New movies in Milwaukee: 'Ballerina,' 'The Phoenician Scheme,' more
Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Less searching, more waiting: The Phoenician Scheme director Wes Anderson's formula for creativity
Director Wes Anderson (in green) with (from far left) Mathieu Amalric, Mia Threapleton and Benicio del Toro on the set of The Phoenician Scheme. PHOTO: UIP Less searching, more waiting: The Phoenician Scheme director Wes Anderson's formula for creativity NEW YORK – Opening in Singapore cinemas on June 5, American writer-director Wes Anderson's new film The Phoenician Scheme is a black comedy starring Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda, a ruthless tycoon and arms dealer whose adversaries keep trying to kill him. After narrowly escaping death, he sets out to convince his estranged daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton), a nun, to become his heir and, if need be, avenge his death. But as the pair embark on a globetrotting journey to secure funding for Korda's infrastructure project in the fictional nation of Phoenicia, they are pursued by rivals determined to sabotage his plans. Anderson, 56, brings his signature style – eccentric, stylised and ornate, with whimsical characters played by a large ensemble cast – to a story about a dysfunctional family, one of his pet themes. And as with movies such as comedy-drama The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) – which was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay Oscars – he directed this from an original screenplay he wrote himself. But, asked how he comes up with these ideas, Anderson confesses it is a mystery even to him. Wes Anderson at The Phoenician Scheme's New York City premiere on May 28. PHOTO: AFP 'I don't know the answer to that,' the film-maker says at a recent New York screening of The Phoenician Scheme. 'Usually, when I'm finishing a movie, there's something else that comes along and that I start to get drawn to,' explains Anderson, who was also Oscar-nominated for the family comedy The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) and animated feature Isle Of Dogs (2018). 'I don't so much experience the act of searching for a new thing. It's usually, somehow, kind of waiting. Director Wes Anderson on the set of The Phoenician Scheme. PHOTO: UIP 'I think your brain is doing work that you're not totally aware of – something's kind of brewing and suddenly it clicks, and it can tell when you're ready for it,' says Anderson, who won a Best Live Action Short Film Oscar for The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar (2023), a fantasy based on a story by author Roald Dahl. 'But I do think the more you're reading and watching movies and sort of studying, the more it comes to you,' he adds. Puerto Rican actor del Toro, 58, who took home the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for crime drama Traffic (2000), agrees this is part of the formula for creativity. 'You have to study for the rest of your life forever, and be a student forever,' says the star, who picked up a Best Actor Oscar nomination for the crime thriller 21 Grams (2003). Anderson is known for attracting big names to his projects and working repeatedly with a handful of actors – notably Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe and Adrien Brody. Del Toro, who also starred in the film-maker's 2021 comedy The French Dispatch, says it is a singular experience acting with Murray, who appears in The Phoenician Scheme – his 11th collaboration with Anderson – as God. Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro (left) and US actor-comedian Bill Murray at a photo call for The Phoenician Scheme at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19. PHOTO: AFP 'I've always wanted to work with Bill Murray,' del Toro says of the 74-year-old American actor best known for his role in the Ghostbusters supernatural comedies (1984 to 2024). 'And I think I've seen everything – I've seen an actor show up with his own script, his own wardrobe, his own everything – but I've never seen an actor show up with his own soundtrack.' Murray, he reveals, walked onto the set one day blasting English singer-musician Eric Clapton's hit 1991 song Tears In Heaven from a Bluetooth device. 'It was very sad and everyone's attitude on set changed. 'And then Wes, who was very far away, screamed , 'Bill, classical music only!' And Bill went straight from Eric Clapton to Bartok or something. And everybody went back to work,' del Toro recalls, laughing. Benicio del Toro (left) and Mia Threapleton in The Phoenician Scheme. PHOTO: UIP The Phoenician Scheme marks English actress Threapleton's first lead role in a feature film . And even though she is no stranger to celebrities – being the daughter of English actress Kate Winslet, 49 – she was often starstruck on set, especially with American actor Tom Hanks, who plays Korda's business associate. 'I grew up watching all of those people, and the voice of Tom Hanks was my childhood,' says Threapleton, 24, who appeared in the period drama series Dangerous Liaisons (2022) and The Buccaneers (2023 to present). 'I sat down and was, like, 'Oh my god, he's talking to me. And he's telling stories about (the 1998 war film) Saving Private Ryan.' Director Wes Anderson (centre) with The Phoenician Scheme actors (from far left) Jeffrey Wright, Michael Cera, Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton and Rupert Friend at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18. PHOTO: REUTERS But she decided her best strategy was to take a deep breath and collect herself. 'I went, 'I'm just going to sit here and try not to have some sort of panic attack.'' The Phoenician Scheme opens in Singapore cinemas on June 5. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
