Wes Anderson Delights Cannes as ‘Phoenician Scheme’ Lands 6.5-Minute Standing Ovation, Leading Lady Mia Threapleton Overcome With Tears

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Wes Anderson has charmed the Cannes Film Festival yet again with his recent directorial work, “The Phoenician Scheme.” This film was showcased in competition, two years following “Asteroid City,” which garnered similar attention at the 2023 festival. The response to “The Phoenician Scheme” was a resounding 6.5-minute standing ovation for Anderson and his extensive cast.

Mia Threapleton, Anderson’s primary actress with acting in her genes due to mom Kate Winslet, was moved to tears as the applause continued, grinning whilst tears streamed down her face. Surrounded by stars Michael Cera and Benicio del Toro, Anderson delivered concise remarks. He acknowledged his cast and crew for the 12 years they invested in transforming the project from an idea into reality on screen.

In the film titled “The Phoenician Scheme,” Benicio del Toro takes on the role of Zsa-zsa Korda, a European business tycoon and one of the wealthiest men in Europe. Mia Threapleton portrays his daughter, Sister Liesel, who is a nun. Michael Cera makes his first appearance in a Wes Anderson movie as her tutor, Bjorn Lund. The cast also includes Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Jeffrey Wright, Riz Ahmed, Scarlett Johansson, Richard Ayoade, Mathieu Amalric, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, and Benedict Cumberbatch, all of whom have previously worked with Anderson on other projects.

Following her appearance as the host of “SNL” on a Saturday evening, Johansson was absent for the premiere event but is set to make an appearance on Tuesday to officially present her directorial debut, titled “Eleanor the Great.

The well-liked American actor has won favor among the French, largely because he’s chosen Paris as his second home. He demonstrates just as much attention to detail in real-life coordination during the Cannes Film Festival as he does in his role as a filmmaker. In fact, he ensures that the entire film crew stays together at a location outside the city of Eze, approximately an hour from the festival venue.

In an interview with EbMaster in 2023, Johansson shared that Wes takes great care in crafting exceptional experiences for everyone involved. As a prime example, they chose to stay at a stunning hotel that felt like a peaceful retreat. To add to this, they would organize elaborate dinners where the entire experience was meticulously designed by a creative genius, which, as Johansson put it, is all Wes’s doing. Now, having been spoiled with such luxury, she can’t imagine staying anywhere within city limits.

Anderson has a long history with Cannes. Not only will “Asteroid City” compete for the Palme d’Or at the 2023 festival, but he also kicked off the 2012 event with the world debut of “Moonrise Kingdom,” a film that landed him an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay. His 2021 release, “The French Dispatch,” also premiered at Cannes. With “The Phoenician Scheme,” Anderson will be entering his fourth competition at Cannes. He’s also been a frequent attendee of other international film festivals, including the Berlin premiere of “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and the Venice debut of “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” which won him an Oscar for best live action short film.

The movie “The Phoenician Scheme” was created by the filmmaker through American Empirical Pictures, in collaboration with Jeremy Dawson, John Peet, and Steven Rales of Indian Paintbrush. Focus Features will distribute the film, having previously worked with Anderson on “Asteroid City” and “Moonrise Kingdom.

Beginning May 30, ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ will make its debut in select cinemas courtesy of Focus Features. Wider distribution is set for June 6.

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2025-05-18 22:17