Wes Anderson’s Phoenician Scheme Acclaimed at Cannes

Wes Anderson’s 'The Phoenician Scheme' premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to wide acclaim, garnering a 6.5-minute standing ovation that moved lead actress Mia Threapleton to tears. The film features Benicio del Toro, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Tom Hanks, and Benedict Cumberbatch, and focuses on a complex father-daughter relationship within a secretive business empire set in 1950s fictional Phoenicia. Anderson co-wrote the script with Roman Coppola, writing the lead role specifically for del Toro. Critics have praised the film for its wit, visual style, and humor, calling it one of Anderson’s most captivating works. It is set for a limited international theatre release from May 30 to June 6, with an Indian release on June 6. At Cannes, Anderson also commented humorously on proposed U.S. tariffs on foreign films.