WAnderson welcomes us to his home in Paris. In a miniature house-laboratory, which seems to have come out of one of his films. The dandy-looking director has just returned from the Cannes Film Festival, where his film took place City of asteroids was presented in the competition – who was absorbed in the rehearsals of his next UFO. “It will be a very Shakespearean film,” he says without revealing the plot… The ideas clash and contrast with the apparent calm of the 54-year-old filmmaker with youthful features. That morning he wears a pastel green t-shirt and we can’t help but think of the little green man, an alien who came out of a flying saucer and is projected in his own film in the guise of actor Jeff Goldblum. Wes Anderson, the extraterrestrial? Yes, there is, and this new film is proof, if any were needed, that Planet Anderson is a world apart. After creating the French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé and the American city of Liberty in The French expedition (2021), this time takes us to Asteroid City, in the middle of the American desert, in the mid-1950s. In this tiny town, so called because of the meteorite that crashed there and near which nuclear tests are carried out. people from the four corners of the world came to participate in an awards ceremony that honored five gifted young people for their scientific work. But, following unforeseen events, the group will have to live together for longer than expected, in a sort of open-air confinement. In the torpor of her bungalow, actress Midge Campbell (Scarlett Johansson) desperately tries to learn dialogue for her next film by asking talented photographer Augie Steenbeck (Jason Schwartzman) to give her the lines. Of course, the desert setting is a fiction within a fiction, describing the wanderings of a playwright (Edward Norton) and a director (Adrian Brody), who struggle to stage this cursed play, City of asteroidson Broadway…
Hello Earth? Jason Schwartzman and Tom Hanks in the desert of “Asteroid City”, Wes Anderson’s new madness.
Infinite. Graduated in philosophy at the University of Austin, Texas – where he shared Owen Wilson’s room – Wes Anderson easily recognizes that his work is crossed by a multitude of existential and metaphysical questions: mourning, but also transmission, progress, the infinite, the meaning of existence… “During my studies I was fascinated by the writings of logician Gottlob Frege and the work of rhetorician IA Richards. Of course, I couldn’t read them today, but I believe these thinkers still torment my mind. This is the magic of philosophy: you study it for a few years with the impression of picking up bits and pieces of it, of not understanding everything, and it follows you for your whole life. » If he’s an HPI, like the guys in his movie? “Unfortunately not. I am fascinated by gifted children because I think that, somewhere, I have long dreamed of becoming one. There is something extraordinary that irresistibly attracts me towards these individuals. Isn’t it nice to not have to do anything to achieve excellence? » Meditate.
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«Asteroid City»
With this eleventh feature film, the director of Kingdom of moonrise takes us to 1955 in a fictional American town where gifted students and neurotic parents have come to attend the Junior Stargazer convention. Two years later the mixed reception was given The French expeditionso here we are again with Wes Anderson City of asteroidsbetween homage to science fiction and existential research, and its new five-star cast (Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Margot Robbie, Adrien Brody, Steve Carell…). A flying saucer arrives in the middle of this beautiful world with a strange alien on board. The ideas flow, the jokes too, and Anderson, once again, creates sparks. In theaters from June 21st.
Sebastien Vincent/Contour by Getty Images – Courtesy of Pop. 87 Productions/Focus/SP
What are the main themes explored in Wes Anderson’s film “Asteroid City”?
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have a truly captivating guest, the renowned filmmaker Wes Anderson, who just dazzled audiences at Cannes with his latest film, Asteroid City. Wes, thank you for taking the time to chat with us.
Wes Anderson: It’s my pleasure! Glad to be here.
Interviewer: First off, congratulations on the reception at Cannes! Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind Asteroid City and what we can expect from this unique setting?
Wes Anderson: Thank you! Asteroid City takes place in a fictional desert town in the 1950s, right around a meteorite crash site. It emerged from my fascination with how people react to extraordinary circumstances. The film doesn’t just dwell on the literal ‘asteroid’—it’s about how characters come together under unexpected confinement, reflecting on existence and their individual arcs amidst chaos.
Interviewer: That intermingling of reality and fiction is a hallmark of your work. In this film, interestingly, we see characters trying to stage a play within the narrative. What kind of commentary are you offering on the nature of creativity and artistic struggle?
Wes Anderson: The layers are quite deliberate. The struggles of the playwright and director highlight the overlapping worlds of creation and performance. There’s a certain absurdity to the process of bringing art to life, and I wanted to play with that notion. The characters, like the audience, navigate their own quests for meaning, fueled by existential queries that feel both humorous and poignant.
Interviewer: You’ve said before that philosophical themes play an important role in your storytelling. How do you integrate such intricate ideas into your films without overwhelming your audience?
Wes Anderson: That’s a delicate balance. I think it’s all about accessibility. While I infuse my work with deeper questions—like existence, progress, and loss—I like to present them in a whimsical way so that the audience can resonate with them on different levels. The beauty of philosophy is that it can haunt you—the idea that people can walk away pondering these questions long after the credits roll.
Interviewer: Speaking of philosophical themes, your interest in gifted individuals is evident throughout your films. In Asteroid City, you feature brilliant young minds at a science awards ceremony. What draws you to these characters?
Wes Anderson: I’ve always been fascinated by gifted individuals. There’s something almost magical about their intelligence and creativity; it’s both inspiring and, at times, isolating. I think many of us yearn for that kind of brilliance, which often seems unattainable. In showing these characters, I aim to celebrate their unique abilities while also exploring their vulnerabilities.
Interviewer: That’s a beautiful perspective. Now, you mentioned that your new project has a “very Shakespearean” vibe. Can you share how you’ve infused those classical elements into your modern narrative?
Wes Anderson: I love Shakespeare’s explorations of human nature, the complexity of relationships, and the chaos of life. In Asteroid City, elements like mistaken identity, the blurred lines between reality and performance, and poignant moments of reflection are certainly influenced by his work. It’s fascinating to meld those timeless themes with a contemporary setting.
Interviewer: Wes, your visual style is as distinctive as your storytelling. What can audiences expect from the aesthetics of Asteroid City?
Wes Anderson: Visually, I aimed to create a specific and enchanting atmosphere. The desert landscape offers a blank canvas for vivid colors and whimsical set designs, adding to the film’s dream-like quality. I always strive for a certain symmetry and meticulous detail that I hope transports viewers to another world.
Interviewer: That sounds magical! As a final note, what do you hope viewers take away from Asteroid City?
Wes Anderson: More than anything, I hope audiences find joy in the absurdities of life—the quirks, the challenges, and the beauty of human connection. It’s all too easy to get lost in the seriousness of existence, but I believe embracing the playful side can offer healing and reflection.
Interviewer: Thank you, Wes! Your insights are both refreshing and thought-provoking. We can’t wait to experience Asteroid City!
Wes Anderson: Thank you! I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I enjoyed creating it.