Lyon’s Roman-style auditorium, a regular venue for the city’s symphonic orchestra, hosted a full house as acclaimed U.S. writer and director Wes Anderson took center stage as the esteemed guest of the Lumière Film Festival.
During his engaging conversation with festival director Thierry Frémaux, the audience in the 2,000-seat venue enjoyed a special screening of one of Anderson’s latest adaptations of Roald Dahl’s works, the short film “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.”
The film portrays the story of a wealthy man on a quest to master a remarkable skill for gambling, one of four Dahl stories recently adapted by Anderson for Netflix, following the acquisition of the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) in 2021.
Wes Anderson’s unique touch has been primarily reserved for Dahl’s stories, beginning with “Fantastic Mr. Fox” in 2009, his first animated film. When asked about the possibility of more short story adaptations, Anderson expressed his eagerness. He hopes that these adaptations will encourage young people to explore the joy of reading.
He shared, “My thought was that this way of telling a story might relate to reading, and particularly if young people saw them, it might introduce them to certain authors and draw attention to writing.” He also mentioned his interest in adapting the work of author Paul Bowles.
Referencing the legendary French New Wave filmmaker François Truffaut, Anderson pointed out the influence of literature on cinema. He said, “Something I always liked about Truffaut is that he’s a great reader, and his love of writing is in all his movies.” He emphasized the connection between literature and film, underscoring the importance of storytelling.
Anderson’s “troupe” of actors, including Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Ralph Fiennes, have been an integral part of his filmmaking journey for over two decades. He emphasized the natural chemistry he shares with these actors, making the filmmaking experience more emotionally engaging.
Moreover, Anderson’s unique approach extends to housing the cast together during production, fostering a sense of unity and dedication to the project. This practice not only enhances the overall experience but also encourages actors to fully immerse themselves in their roles.
His commitment to teamwork was evident at the Cannes Film Festival, where Anderson’s latest feature, “Asteroid City,” competed. He transported his entire team to Cannes, providing them with comfortable accommodation and efficient transportation.
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During a Q&A session, Anderson shared his advice for aspiring young filmmakers. He recounted the experience of his first film, “Bottle Rocket,” highlighting the confidence he had as a young filmmaker. Despite initial setbacks, Anderson emphasized the importance of youthful confidence, believing it to be a driving force for creative endeavors.
In keeping with the Lumière Film Festival tradition, Wes Anderson introduced a selection of his films and a screening of “Pather Panchali,” the first installment of the renowned Apu trilogy by Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray, to whom Anderson dedicated “The Darjeeling Limited.”
