true77
From The Royal Tenenbaums and Fantastic Mr. Fox to The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Asteroid City, Wes Anderson has been captivated by flawed fathers. These disappointing dads try to reconnect with their children through wacky schemes, like a strange road trip, a perilous sea adventure, a daring heist, or a fake cancer diagnosis. Anderson’s newest film is even named after his protagonist’s paternal plot: The Phoenician Scheme.
Benicio del Toro stars as Zsa-zsa Korda, a shady robber baron focused on amassing his wealth above all else. However, his priorities shift when he reunites with his estranged daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton), who is about to become a nun. Korda invites her into his home and asks her to assist in a complex business scheme, hoping she will become his heir. But can her morals challenge his lack thereof, despite his attempts to shower her with extravagant gifts?
In an interview with Mashable, Anderson shared the personal inspirations behind the story, del Toro’s influence on shaping Korda, and the significance of accepting a “secular rosary.”
Wes Anderson’s mother influenced elements of The Phoenician Scheme.
During a chat in Manhattan, Anderson revealed that The Phoenician Scheme struck a chord with me due to its optimistic take on parent-child relationships facing stark differences in values. Describing Korda as a ruthless individual willing to do anything to achieve his goals, Anderson highlighted the transformation that occurs when Liesl confronts him about his unethical practices.
Anderson also reflected on his own father’s impact on his storytelling, as he explored themes of failed fathers and father figures grappling with mortality in his films.
Benicio del Toro’s portrayal of Zsa-zsa Korda was shaped by Anderson’s desire to create a film about a wealthy yet immoral character. Del Toro, surprised by the significant role he played in the film, showcased his humility and gentleness, adding depth to Korda’s character.
Benicio Del Toro brings a new light to his character
When discussing the character in question, Anderson shared, “There’s violence around him. And this character is bleeding for half of the movie, one way or another. But when we started working on the script and I started talking with Benicio about it, there’s something in Benicio. There was a lighter side of him, a more hopeful side of him that just seemed to kind of want to come out. It was because of our collaboration with Benicio that we started to see this other thing in the character.”
The complexity of Liesl’s character in the film
On the other hand, there’s a complexity to stoic nun Liesl too, even before she’s under her father’s influence. “I mean, as soon as she walks in the door, she’s devout and presents herself that way,” Anderson said. “But she’s a little more stylish than a nun normally would be, even before he offers her a ‘secular rosary,’ [as] he calls it; it’s not like she bounces it back to him. That’s already in her, the potential for that. And I think it’s already in him, the potential to change his path.”
Anderson continued, “And I even think at a certain point, he realizes that actually his giant business plan is a ritual, a scheme to get her.” Anderson added, “Consciously, [Korda is saying], ‘If I’m not able to handle this, you [Liesl] need to do this. You’re the one I choose. But unconsciously, it might be that he’s just saying, ‘Can we please do something together? Let’s play this game.’”
In that way, even if the scheme isn’t going to plan, it’s not that bad. Or, as Anderson put it, “So, it’s more successful than he might think. You know, his venture is actually not the failure that we would think it is.”
The Phoenician Scheme is now playing in theaters everywhere.
