La Cinémathèque française, Paris is hosting until 27 July 2025 the exhibition 'Wes Anderson', the first devoted to the jubilant work of the american filmmaker, follows the chronological evolution of his work, from his first steps as a self-taught director in the 90s (Bottle Rocket), to his most recent opuses (Asteroid City), the most flamboyant and the most rewarded worldwide (The Grand Budapest Hotel).
"I first visited the Cinémathèque 25 years ago, when it was still in the Trocadéro, but I had already walked through it in my imagination (through François Truffaut's letters) at the time of the Avenue de Messine and the Rue d'Ulm - and in a way I indirectly link my own film education to Henri Langlois and his acolytes - so it's a particular pleasure for me to be part of this exhibition, whatever we decide to present!"
Wes Anderson
Kara Hayward in Moonrise Kingdom (2012), image taken from the film ©DR
Each of Wes Anderson's films plunges the viewer into a different universe, with its own codes, motifs and references, its own sumptuous sets and costumes, recognisable at first glance.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), image taken from the film © Twentieth Century Fox – American Empirical Pictures/ DR
Through collaborations spanning several decades, and thanks to his absolute fidelity to film, Wes Anderson has developed a cinematic style that is unmistakably his own. This exhibition is the first to explore the specific aesthetic features of his entire filmography, revealing his inspirations, his homages and the meticulous craftsmanship that characterises his direction. From the melancholy charm of The Tenenbaum Family to the teenage adventures of Moonrise Kingdom and the innovative stop-motion techniques of Fantastic Mr Fox, it is an opportunity to discover how Anderson's unique vision and attention to detail have created some of the most visually and emotionally compelling films in recent times. Through a rich selection of props, original costumes and trade secrets, drawn largely from his personal collection, this exhibition offers an unprecedented insight into the world of Wes Anderson and celebrates his enduring influence on contemporary cinema.
Timothée Chalamet dans The French Dispatch (2021), image taken from the film © DR
Ab Rogers Design, a multidisciplinary design and architecture studio based in London, designed the exhibition concept.
“Our concept for the exhibition design adopts a cinematographic language, creating a theatrical experience through long, sweeping vistas animated by surprising reveals and intriguing cut- throughs. In juxtaposition, pockets of space can be found off the central axis, bringing the visitor close to the objects and artefacts on display. Organised chronologically, the show begins as a compact display, becoming expansively layered as you are drawn forward through the space by a series of thresholds, each one taking the visitor deeper into Wes Anderson’s world. The strategic framing and wide panning of views gives a sense of the interrelationships between the 12 films on display while hero objects are highlighted along key sightlines, building excitement. We selected a spectrum of red tones, starting bright and getting darker to create a sense of journey across the chapters of the exhibition.
Along with evocative ambient lighting, the consistency and contrast provided by the singular colour helps dematerialise the space, heightening focus on the spotlit costumes, artworks and objects of the film’s worlds. The six chapter colours, together with the architectural threshold axis feature, also act as wayfinding, giving freedom to meander but also gently guiding the visitor through the chronological journey. Just as the exhibition bears the mark of Wes Anderson’s hand, through his notebooks, journals and photographs as well as his cinematic vision, its design was a deeply collaborative endeavour. Only by working closely with him and his team were we able to create a landscape that brings his universes together, celebrating their richness and diversity as it reveals their thematic overlaps and connections”.
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Press release courtesy of La Cinémathèque française
Cover photo: Paul Schlase, Tony Revolori, Tilda Swinton et Ralph Fiennes dans The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), image taken from the film © 20th Century Fox – Scot t Rudin Productions – Indian Paintbrush – Studio Babelsberg / DR
Exhibition photos: ©Stéphane Dabrowski - La Cinémathèque française
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