Stuck in isolation and bored of everything on Netflix? Don’t fear, because Wes Anderson has some film recommendations for you.
In a letter to independent streaming service The Criterion Channel, the filmmaker revealed what he’s been watching during social distancing. “Dear Criterion friends,” Anderson writes, “I’ve been streaming and Blu-raying Criterion movies every day and just wanted to mention: Raymond Bernard! Anne-Marie written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry? I’d never heard of it.”
The filmmaker is referring to the 1936 drama film, which tells the story of Anne-Marie, an aspiring young pilot. Anderson also describes Bernard’s 1934 adaptation of Les misérables as “a masterpiece”, adding that he particularly loves actor Harry Baur in the film, and shouts out the director’s 1932 movie, Wooden Crosses.
“I had never watched Arthur Hiller’s The Out-of-Towners before, either,” continues Anderson. “It is a great time machine, that one. Revisiting Louis Malle documentaries too. Especially ...And the Pursuit of Happiness. How many times will I re-watch (Jane Campion’s 1990 drama film) An Angel at My Table?”
The filmmaker concludes: “What are you watching? How fortunate we are to have this Louvre of movies at our fingertips!”
Anderson’s upcoming film, The French Dispatch – starring Timothée Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Tilda Swinton, and more – is set to hit cinemas in the US on July 24. In the meantime – as you have a lot of time to kill – why not burn through Anderson’s back catalogue as well as his new recommendations?