Wes Anderson: The Archives - by Matthieu Orlean & Johanna Agerman Ross & Lucia Savi (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

An exclusive look at one of the 21st century's most iconic and distinctive American filmmakers, replete with archival materials and contributions from beloved Hollywood voices

An archive is always a time machine, but the archives of Wes Anderson take us on a journey not just through time, but through layers of stories and the experiences of storytelling--on paper and on film. This volume chronicles these stories with a deep dive into Anderson's personal archive, celebrating his 30-plus years in cinema. From the start of his career, he has maintained a rich library of notebooks, drawings, paintings, Polaroids, props, puppets, sets and costumes from his films. Presented here, these objects are enhanced and illuminated by Anderson's long-time collaborators, including actors Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson and Tilda Swinton; composer Alexandre Desplat; musician Seu Jorge; and music supervisor Randall Poster. The book also features an extensive interview with Anderson himself, reflecting on his films and working process.
Wes Anderson: The Archives accompanies the first retrospective exhibition of Anderson's work, curated by La Cinémathèque française in Paris and the Design Museum in London. It is the first book to be produced in such close partnership with the filmmaker himself.
Wes Anderson, born in 1969 in Houston, Texas, is a renowned American filmmaker celebrated for his unique visual style, quirky characters and whimsical storytelling. His most notable works include The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) and The French Dispatch (2021). Anderson has received numerous awards, including the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for The Grand Budapest Hotel, as well as multiple Golden Globe and BAFTA Awards.

Review Quotes

God may or may not be in the details, but Anderson and his movies definitely are. He has an eye for detail so thorough and exacting -- so unblinking -- it becomes a sensibility.--Mark Feeney "The Boston Globe"

Fans of Wes Anderson will delight in the Design Museum's upcoming show: the first retrospective of the Texan auteur, conceived in collaboration with la Cine?mathe?que franc?aise.--Daisy Woodward "AnOther Magazine"

The show is an in-depth ode to hands-on filmmaking, and a welcome antidote to our CGI and AI age.--Emily Steer "Wallpaper*"

These artifacts all together illuminate Anderson's devotion to detail and design, and show how his handmade sensibility and visual precision have shaped a whimsical and deeply human cinematic universe.--Kat Barandy "designboom"

[An] intimate look at some of the papers and props from some of our favorite films, shedding light on the process and the man behind the lens.--Aria Lee "Design Milk"

[The exhibition] shows how thousands of small decisions add up to make the director's signature style.--Alex Marshall "The New York Times"

With access to Anderson's personal archives, the show's curators have picked out more than 600 items--including costumes, props, personal notes, and paintings--that offer an unprecedented, behind the scenes glimpse into his creative process.--Jo Lawson-Tancred "Artnet"

The exhibition journeys through all of the films, every one unique, yet together entirely cohesive and notably 'Wes'.--Tianna Williams "Wallpaper*"