8 Cult Movies That Inspired Wes Anderson's 'The Phoenician Scheme'

Wes Anderson's new movie, The Phoenician Scheme with an all-star cast, including Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Bryan Cranston, and Scarlett Johansson, was finally released on May 30.

As you admire the film's colorful and symmetrical frames, we suggest finding out which movies inspired Wes Anderson.

1. 'Lincoln', 2012

Steven Spielberg's historical drama recounts the passage of the 13th Amendment. The film allowed Daniel Day-Lewis to deliver his signature brilliant performance as the 16th President of the US. Lincoln was a box office hit, winning Oscars for Day-Lewis's performance and for production design.

In an interview with Letterboxd, Anderson admitted that, before shooting a new movie, he and his director of photography, Robert Yeoman, watch the same films. Lincoln is one of them:

“There's movies we would watch every time before we went to make a movie, that essentially have nothing to do with the movie, but they had to do with making movies.”

2. 'The Bad Sleep Well', 1960

In 1960, the great Japanese director Akira Kurosawa adapted William Shakespeare's classic Hamlet, setting it in post-war Japan before the economic boom.

This social drama tells the twisted tale of Koichi Nishi, a young man seeking revenge against a high-ranking official who killed his father.

Anderson expressed his admiration for the collaboration between Akira Kurosawa and actor Toshiro Mifune. He admitted that Mifune was one of the few actors who could handle the lead role in The Phoenician Scheme:

“If I was gonna say who else could have played this part I don't think of many people. Given the language obstacles, nevertheless, Toshiro Mifune would be a good replacement.”

3. 'The Mattei Affair', 1972

Enrico Mattei played a key role in shaping Italy's future. First, he fought for liberation from the Nazis. Ultimately, he became the head of ENI, the state-owned oil company.

On October 27, 1962, Mattei died when his private plane crashed one minute before landing at Milan Airport. Officially, he died in the crash. However, many journalists have investigated other possible causes of the crash.

According to Wes Anderson, he was inspired by the visuals and music of The Mattei Affair:

“What maybe most prominently inspired us in our movie was the look and the music. And for a significant period of time we were using the score for The Mattei Affair.”

4. 'Day for Night', 1973

Day for Night lifts the veil of secrecy about how films are shot. The director, the master of the creative process, settles conflicts on the set, smooths out failures with actors, and corrects other studio twists and turns.

Anderson said:

“Part of just any movie could be the inspiration of Day for Night. It's a kind of irresistible celebration of filmmaking.”

5. 'Terror's Advocate', 2007

The documentary is a serious investigation into the activities of lawyer Jacques Vergès. Is he an accomplice of bloody terror or a freedom fighter?

During the Algerian War, the young Vergès supported and defended Djamila Bouhired, an Algerian terrorist accused of planning a series of explosions. Vergès secured her release and married her.

Then, at the height of his career, the man suddenly disappears without a trace for eight years. Then, he reappears, repeatedly standing up for all sorts of terrorists, shocking the public.

Barbet Schroeder's film inspired Anderson with its ambiguous protagonist:

“I guess it's this kind of stage where the events take place and the kind of character he is that to me connects a bit to our film.”

6. 'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie', 1972

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie is undoubtedly Luis Buñuel's most known movie, alongside An Andalusian Dog. It is a mocking, surreal sketch about the aimless lives of the bourgeoisie.

Unforeseen circumstances prevent the characters from enjoying a simple dinner, causing sleep and reality to intertwine into a kaleidoscope of delirious events.

Anderson spoke about his love for Buñuel's work and revealed:

“Whatever surrealist thing that he's [Buñuel] drawn to he will go with it with such a sure hand that you go with him. [...] I don't think our movie would have guerilla terrorists in it if Buñuel hadn't.”

7. 'Citizen Kane', 1941

Filmed in 1941, Citizen Kane has retained its charm for nearly 80 years. The film still looks great today – it introduced many techniques to filmmaking that directors still use today.

However, Anderson seems more charmed by Orson Welles himself than by his work:

“Even without the movies Orson Welles himself could have been a kind of inspiration for this movie and he's another person who could have played this role.”

8. 'David Golder', 1931

David Golder is a family saga and chronicle of one man's downfall. It is also the first sound film by French director Julien Duvivier.

The main character is David Golder, a successful French banker. He believes that money can buy everything, yet it hasn't even provided him with the love of his family.

For the sake of profit, he drives his business partner to suicide. Golder soon has a heart attack, which makes him reflect on his life.

Anderson admits that The Phoenician Scheme was influenced by the dynamics of a wealthy family in David Golder. And Harry Baur, who played the lead role, could have played Zsa Zsa Korda as well:

“Along with Toshiro Mifune, Harry Baur could have played this part in our movie.”