The Phoenician Scheme Receives 7 ½ Minute Standing Ovation at Cannes
Wes Anderson’s star-studded cinematic adventure enraptures and entertains festival audiences
The Phoenician Scheme marks the fourth Wes Anderson feature to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. From the “7 ½-minute ovation” according to Deadline to its rapturous reviews, the film was acclaimed. From writer/director Wes Anderson comes The Phoenician Scheme, the story of a family and a family business, starring Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda, one of the richest men in Europe; Mia Threapleton as Liesl, his daughter/a nun; Michael Cera as Bjorn, their tutor. The amazing ensemble cast also features Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, and Scarlett Johansson; plus Richard Ayoade as a helpful freedom fighter, Benedict Cumberbatch as Zsa-zsa's mysterious half-brother Nubar, Rupert Friend as the shadowy agent "Excalibur", and Hope Davis as Liesl's Mother Superior.
The official trailer for The Phoenician Scheme
Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, and Wes Anderson arrive at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Wes Anderson arrives at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Benicio del Toro arrives at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Writer Roman Coppola, Director Wes Anderson, and Composer Alexandre Desplat at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Benicio del Toro at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Mia Threapleton at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Michael Cera at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Benedict Cumberbatch at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Riz Ahmed at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Rupert Friend at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Richard Ayoade at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Bill Murray at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Mia Threapleton and Benicio del Toro greet each other on the carpet at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes premiere and photocall.
Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Cera, Benicio del Toro, Wes Anderson, and Mia Threapleton at The Phoenician Scheme Cannes press conference.
Anderson capped his red-carpeted Cannes appearance at the film’s premiere on May 18 by toasting his cast. Variety writes, Anderson exclaimed, “I can think of about 12 words to say that stand for everything in this movie: Richard Ayoade, Riz, Alexandre [Desplat, the composer], Michael, Mia, Jeffrey, Rupert, Benedict, God [Bill Murray], and Benicio del Toro.”
Mathieu Amalric, Wes Anderson, Mia Threapleton, and Benicio del Toro on the set of The Phoenician Scheme.
For critics, the film captured what audiences love most about Anderson’s cinematic vision. Empire notes, “The framing is as precise as ever, the production design is immaculately detailed, the performances delightfully offbeat.” The Independent states it is “One of Wes Anderson’s most enrapturing films in years,” and Time Out writes, “Wes Anderson spins an action-packed espionage caper with a touch of magic.” For Little White Lies, “It goes without saying, but the film dazzles with its trompe-l’oeil-like worldbuilding, which inhabits the fairy tale reality of Anderson’s mind without ever giving over to the wayward indulgence of dream logic.”
Benicio del Toro, Michael Cera, and Mia Threapleton in The Phoenician Scheme
In addition, reviewers singled out Del Toro’s comic and emotional performance. “A brilliant Benicio del Toro leads Wes Anderson’s poignant narrative jigsaw puzzle,” The Hollywood Reporter’s headline reads. Deadline expands on how “The film belongs lock, stock and barrel to Del Toro, playing this Onassis-style billionaire who proves again to be so adept to the rhythms of Anderson’s dialogue and delivers flawlessly here.” In addition, newcomer Threapleton tone-perfect turn as a novitiate won praise. “Del Toro and Threapleton have fantastic chemistry as father and daughter, and they are at the heart of the story,” writes Collider. In many ways, Paste summed up Cannes’ reaction by writing, “It’s a film that’s filled with so many wonderful moments that it’s a joy to behold.”
The Phoenician Scheme in select theaters May 30—Get tickets now!