Wes Anderson’s personal inspirations behind The Phoenician Scheme serve as the backbone for his latest film, currently showing in theaters. Drawing from his own familial history, Anderson explores fatherhood, complicated parent-child bonds, and moral transformation through the story of Zsa-zsa Korda, portrayed by Benicio del Toro, bringing intimate themes to a broader audience.
Family Conflicts and Redemption at the Heart of The Phoenician Scheme
Anderson’s longstanding fascination with flawed fathers is once again front and center in The Phoenician Scheme. Previous films like The Royal Tenenbaums, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and Asteroid City have each delved into the misadventures and redemptive attempts of disappointing dads. In the new film, this interest manifests through the character of Zsa-zsa Korda, a ruthless robber baron whose unscrupulous business dealings have left him estranged from his daughter, Liesl (played by Mia Threapleton).
The story unfolds as Korda, devoted to amassing wealth by any means, reunites with Liesl as she prepares to take religious vows. Bringing her into his world—and his unconventional household filled with young sons—he invites her to help orchestrate an elaborate business scheme, even offering her a place as his heir. Liesl’s faith and integrity, however, are at odds with Korda’s mercenary ways, setting the stage for a tense emotional and ethical confrontation.
Wes Anderson’s Mother as Inspiration for Liesl
The filmmaker’s own family dynamic deeply informed the narrative, especially the relationship between Korda and Liesl. Anderson described Korda’s moral flexibility, stating,
“a brutal, ruthless, unkillable guy, who has no real compunction about double-crossing anybody. He’s also happy to lie, or [do] whatever is needed [to get what he wants].”
—Wes Anderson, Director
Liesl’s ethical conviction disturbs her father’s corrupt routines. When she denounces his utilization of slave labor and his plan to engineer a famine for profit, Korda is forced to confront both his own morality and a series of religious visions in which Liesl takes on great significance. Anderson explained Korda’s transformation by recalling,
“There’s one line where he says something to the effect of, ‘I’ve just decided to go on her side. I’ll be religious, if that’s what’s right.’”
—Wes Anderson, Director
Sharing a more intimate connection, Anderson admitted,
“And I have to say, not to get overly personal,”
continuing,
“but my mother, when it came to the politics of the last 14 years or something like that, she went so far away from everybody else in the family. And I did at one point say to her, ‘I think it’s better if you just go on our side. Because otherwise, we’re just — you’re annoyed at us. And we don’t even talk about politics, right?’ But, um, she didn’t do it, though.”
—Wes Anderson, Director
Reflections on Anderson’s Father and the Recurring Theme of Absent Fathers
A key thread throughout Anderson’s career is the recurring examination of troubled father figures. In discussing his inspirations for The Phoenician Scheme, Anderson directly cited his own father’s departure as deeply influential. He explained,
“But it’s probably — he moved out of the house at a certain point. And I’m sure that if we really trace it back to, why do I get drawn to that? What’s my personal investment in this kind of story? I guess it must start there. It’s something about when he got in his car and moved to another place.”
—Wes Anderson, Director
The sense of longing for understanding and connection with father figures has marked not only his films but also his personal life. Anderson added,
“I’ve always been close to my father, but I’ve always had a lot of father figures who I guess I’ve sought out. I’ve been drawn to them, and I mean, a lot of them have died. My father died. Most of the father figures died. But you know, that’s what happens when you become 56 years old.”
—Wes Anderson, Director
The Collaborative Influence of Benicio del Toro on Zsa-zsa Korda
Central to The Phoenician Scheme’s depth is the portrayal of Zsa-zsa Korda by Benicio del Toro. Anderson set out to create a story about a man who prospered by disregarding morality, and del Toro—fresh from his work on The French Dispatch—was his ideal choice. Del Toro was initially unaware he would be the lead, but as the script unfolded piece by piece, his performance became integral to the film’s direction.
Anderson reflected on this creative process, stating,
“There’s violence around him. And this character is bleeding for half of the movie, one way or another. But when we started working on the script and I started talking with Benicio about it, there’s something in Benicio. There was a lighter side of him, a more hopeful side of him that just seemed to kind of want to come out. It was because of our collaboration with Benicio that we started to see this other thing in the character.”
—Wes Anderson, Director
This nuanced character work helped infuse Zsa-zsa’s persona with unexpected optimism and vulnerability, challenging audience expectations and deepening the film’s emotional core.
The Intricacies of Faith and Inheritance: Liesl’s Role
Liesl’s complexity as a character emerges early. Even upon first returning to her father’s household, she balances devotion and individuality. Anderson observed,
“I mean, as soon as she walks in the door, she’s devout and presents herself that way,”
and added,
“But she’s a little more stylish than a nun normally would be, even before he offers her a ‘secular rosary,’ [as] he calls it; it’s not like she bounces it back to him. That’s already in her, the potential for that. And I think it’s already in him, the potential to change his path.”
—Wes Anderson, Director
As Korda seeks an heir and tries to draw his daughter into his business ambitions, the motivations behind his schemes come into question. Anderson explained,
“And I even think at a certain point, he realizes that actually his giant business plan is a ritual, a scheme to get her.”
—Wes Anderson, Director
He elaborated further,
“Consciously, [Korda is saying], ‘If I’m not able to handle this, you [Liesl] need to do this. You’re the one I choose. But unconsciously, it might be that he’s just saying, ‘Can we please do something together? Let’s play this game.’”
—Wes Anderson, Director
Despite setbacks and chaotic outcomes, Korda’s efforts are not without merit. Anderson summarized,
“So, it’s more successful than he might think. You know, his venture is actually not the failure that we would think it is.”
—Wes Anderson, Director
The Lasting Impact of Anderson’s Personal Storytelling
The Phoenician Scheme stands as a testament to Wes Anderson’s ability to draw meaningful, emotional stories from his own personal experiences. By weaving together details of his relationships with his mother, father, and various father figures, Anderson delivers a film rich with introspection, layered characters, and earnest conflicts. Benicio del Toro’s performance as Zsa-zsa Korda, shaped in close collaboration with Anderson and Roman Coppola, reveals new depths to the archetype of the flawed father, resonating with viewers seeking stories that mirror real-life struggles and reconciliation.
As The Phoenician Scheme continues its run in theaters, audiences are invited to witness how family bonds, moral challenges, and the possibility of renewal play out on screen—reflecting the deeply personal inspirations that have always fueled Anderson’s most memorable work.
