The allusive auteur: Wes Anderson and his influences

Abstract

Writer, producer and director Wes Anderson’s unusual and idiosyncratic films take place in world which seems to be entirely his own. Often anachronistic and highly stylized, the Andersonian universe looks like little else being shown in contemporary cinemas. Yet, Anderson is also one of the most allusive filmmakers working today. Littered throughout his oeuvre are endless allusions to films, directors, authors and books which have had significant influence on Anderson as an artist. In fact, Anderson’s films can only be fully appreciated when viewed through the lens of his many sources, since his films emerge as he carefully collects, compiles and crafts his many influences into a sort of collage. In order to understand how this dichotomy operates in Anderson’s work I examine the influence of several key directors, authors, and films. Through this study I show that one of the things that make Anderson unique is the very way in which he interacts with the sources to which he is alluding. It is his uncommon ability to weave homage and critique together which makes him a truly allusive auteur.