The story of a family and a family business. That’s how The Phoenician Scheme has been described. As in all things Anderson, expect quirky, left-field, sometimes head scratching, but always entertaining stories, characters, and dialogue.
To expand on what his film is about: wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins. Confused? Great! Enjoy!
Key creatives from The Phoenician Scheme shared a wealth of insights into the creative process behind the film. They include writer/ director Wes Anderson, Benicio del Toro (Zsa-zsa Korda), Bryan Cranston (Reagan), Michael Cera (Bjorn), Scarlett Johansson (Cousin Hilda), and Mia Threapleton (Liesl).
The Inspiration Behind the Story
Wes Anderson reflected on the origins of The Phoenician Scheme revealing how the idea first took shape during the promotion of “The French Dispatch” at the Cannes Film Festival.
He described how an evocative image of a Euro tycoon, “like somebody who would’ve been in an Antonioni movie,” sparked his imagination. Visualizing a character in a sharp suit, yet displaying unmistakable signs of distress, created a foundation for him.
Anderson explained that this initial idea became intricately intertwined with his personal history. He drew inspiration from his father-in-law, Fuad, who led a fascinatingly complex life as an engineer and businessman. Wes described Fuad’s presence as warm yet intimidating. The filmmaker shared that Fuad managed multiple projects and kept them organized in shoeboxes.
“I had this idea that he was probably hurting, that he was going to be in physical distress. That was the image of this guy who you sort of can’t kill. And he has a very expensive watch. In the course of time, Korda started mixing with my father-in-law,” continues Anderson.
Character Development and Collaboration
Benicio del Toro’s involvement in The Phoenician Scheme offered another perspective on the collaborative nature of filmmaking. He described how he became involved during the early writing stages, contributing to character development alongside Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola. Del Toro added that Wes’s writing is “layered” and “full of contradictions,” which is a joy for an actor seeking to breathe life into a character.
Throughout the press conference, he discussed a key scene in which his character, Zsa-zsa Korda, meets his daughter Liesl, played by Mia Threapleton, for the first time. This moment represented a pivotal emotional juncture in the story. Del Toro recounted how he was keen to ensure that his character shared very personal information with his daughter in a way that felt authentic, before asking her to be his executor.
The dynamic between Korda, his daughter, and the tutor Bjorn—played by Michael Cera—was of particular interest, as it creates a web of relationships that underscored the film’s thematic exploration of family and connection amidst chaos.
At its core, The Phoenician Scheme is a tale of a father trying to repair his fractured relationship with his daughter. “I think that there is an element of my character wanting a second chance at mending a broken relationship. And I think that in the process, he has to change and he does change. And I like to think that people can change. Not everyone changes, but I think some people can, and for the better,” notes Del Toro.
Engagement and Humor: A Key Element
An engaging aspect of the press conference was the clever banter shared among cast members. From jokes about the audience size—initially projected to be a staggering 40,000 (actually closer to 120 according to some reports) — to cheeky remarks about mailing out “complimentary hand grenades,” the lightheartedness of the discussion created an enjoyable atmosphere. This comedic interplay revealed the camaraderie that exists within the filmmaking team.
