The Phoenician Scheme
Absurdist black comedy by Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom) about a strained father-daughter relationship within a family business.
‘The story of a family and a family business’. The American production company Focus Features is not yet revealing much more about the content of Wes Anderson’s new film. From the trailer, we know that Benicio Del Toro plays the role of wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda, a non-conformist in the world of armaments and aviation. Korda has ten children: nine sons and a nun. It is with the latter, sister Liesl, that Korda travels in order to secure his legacy. For the wealthy Korda may have nine sons, but Liesl will be his sole heir.
Little may still be known about the storyline of The Phoenician Scheme, but the form can no longer be a surprise. Few film auteurs have such an instantly recognisable visual style as Wes Anderson. And so the many fans can once again look forward to pastel shades and warm retro colours, perfectly symmetrical shots and extremely detailed sets and props. And of course, all supporting roles are again played by well-known actors, this time including Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johansson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Mathieu Amalric and Benedict Cumberbatch. The film will have its world premiere as part of the competition of the Cannes Film Festival, the place where Anderson’s previous two films (The French Dispatch, Asteroid City) also premiered. (mv)