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French Dispatch isn’t even half the full title of the movie. On screen, it’s The French Dispatch of the Liberty Kansas Evening Sun. Wes Anderson’s latest film is a collection of short stories, serving as examples of the stories published in the Dispatch.
The film depicts the end of publication for the magazine after the death Arthur Howitzer, Jr. (Bill Murray). Some of the most memorable stories that he published are brought to life by the staff as they prepare his obituary.
Herbsaint Sazerac (Owen Wilson) visits the underbelly of Ennui-sur Blasé on bicycle. J.K.L. Berensen (Tilda Swinton) writes about prisoner and artist Moses Rosenthaler (Benicio Del Toro), whose muse is his guard, Simone (Léa Seydoux). College students Zeffirelli (Timothée Chalamet) and Juliette (Lyna Khoudri) debate politics as embedded reporter Lucinda Krementz (Frances McDormand) covers their protests. Roebuck Wright (Jeffrey Wright), meanwhile, tells the tale of police cuisine as well as a gang robbers.
Anderson co-wrote the story and wrote the script with Roman Coppola. Anderson has an Oscar Screenplay nomination. Moonrise KingdomHugo Guinness and Hugo Guinness co-wrote the Oscar-nominated Grand Budapest Hotel) and Jason Schwartzman. Anderson said he’d always wanted to do a collection of short stories, and a French-inspired movie since he’s lived in France. Anderson also stated that he was a big fan of French-inspired movies. The New Yorker’s stories were an inspiration for The French Dispatch’s articles.
Wilson, a college roommate of Anderson’s, confirms he has been a devoted reader since at least their educational days.
Howitzer and The French Dispatch’s writers were based on employees of The New Yorker. Harold Ross and William Shawn merged to create Howitzer. Sazerac was created by Joseph Mitchell, Luc Sante, and Luc Sante. Rosamond Bernier inspired Berensen. Krementz was inspired by Mavis Gallant, and Wright blends James Baldwin, A.J. Liebling, Tennessee Williams.
Schwartzman, who also co-wrote The Darjeeling LimitedAnd Isle of DogsAnderson shared the same process with Anderson. French Dispatch. They create the story themselves, rather than having to plan it out in advance. It’s worked so far.
French DispatchThis film premiered at Cannes Film Festival, after having been delayed for one year because of pandemic. It opened via Searchlight Pictures October 22.
Click the image below to see the screenplay