Panida kicks off Wes Anderson film series with Moonrise Kingdom

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

Fans of whimsical filmmaking are in luck: The Panida Theater is launching a Wes Anderson film series for its ongoing $5 movie night. The series begins with Moonrise Kingdom at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Set in 1965 on a fictional island off the coast of New England, Moonrise Kingdom is a perfect example of Anderson’s auteur filmmaking in action. Containing all the quirky warmth that defines his films, Moonrise Kingdom follows the story of two 12-year-olds who have fallen in love and decide to run away together. Sam, an orphan played by Jared Gilman, escapes from a scouting camp to unite with his pen pal Suzy, played by Kara Hayward. Not fitting in with their peers or guardians, the introverted pair hikes, camps and fishes in the wilderness while on the lam. Meanwhile, the scout leaders track the missing pair as a storm threatens to turn the outing into something more serious.

Starring the usual ensemble of accomplished actors that populate Anderson’s film world (Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis, Jason Schwartzman and Tilda Swinton), Moonrise Kingdom also includes some delightful casting additions and showcases Anderson’s hallmarks: dysfunctional families, a loss of innocence, nostalgia, humanity, grief and deadpan humor — all inside his picturebook film world defined by symmetrical compositions, whip pans and lateral tracking shots, intricate production design, a retro soundtrack and a preciousness that usually hits the mark. 

With a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences agree this is one of Anderson’s best.

The Panida will also show other Anderson films in the months ahead, including The Life Aquatic on Dec. 7, Fantastic Mr. Fox on Jan. 10 and The Royal Tenenbaums on Feb. 13. 

Visit panida.org for more info.