Overview

• The Phoenician Scheme premiered at Cannes on May 18, opened in UK cinemas May 23 and embarks on a US limited release on May 30.
• Benicio Del Toro stars as tycoon Zsa-zsa Korda, whose 1950 infrastructure project in Modern Greater Independent Phoenicia drives his strained bond with daughter Liesl, played by Mia Threapleton.
• Michael Cera makes his first Wes Anderson appearance as Bjørn, a Norwegian tutor and entomologist who joins Korda and Liesl on their investment tour.
• Supporting cameos by Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johansson and Benedict Cumberbatch populate the film’s eccentric world.
• Critics have commended Adam Stockhausen’s meticulous production design and Alexandre Desplat’s score but noted that the 101-minute film lacks the emotional nuance of Anderson’s earlier work.