#6 An Accidentally Beautiful Trend
For a while, my feed was transformed into the colourful, idiosyncratic world of Wes Anderson. And I loved it.
“I have a way of filming things and staging them and designing sets. There were times when I thought I should change my approach, but in fact, this is what I like to do. It's sort of like my handwriting as a movie director. And somewhere along the way, I think I've made the decision: I'm going to write in my own handwriting. That's just sort of my way.”
– Wes Anderson
A filmmaker known for his unique style and distinctive aesthetic, Anderson’s films are characterised by pastel colours, hyper-stylised symmetry, and an unwavering focus on simplicity.
Once you've immersed yourself in the world of Wes Anderson's films, you can spot his signature style from a mile off. Anderson has developed a cult following in recent years, thanks to the popularity of films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel, and The Isle Of Dogs.
The first Anderson film I watched, was The Grand Budapest Hotel. I was instantly aware of what was missing from my cinematic experience all these years.
But let’s dive a little deeper into Wes’s world, before I go ahead and share this revelation with you.
“Look’s like a Wes Anderson frame, doesn’t it?” is now a common expression for any setting, temporary or permanent, that looks almost too pretty to touch, lest you bring disorder to the extremely precise arrangement.
Merging distinct characters, plotlines, visuals, and genres, Anderson skillfully crafts a world entirely his own. Most notably, his use of colour serves not only to establish visual cohesion and allure but also to convey profound concepts. By employing striking, and harmonious colour palettes, Anderson expresses social hierarchies, character growth, and the significance of relationships.
There is meticulous attention to detail, that goes into every frame of his movies.
And one day, just like all trends do, the ‘You better not be acting like you're in a Wes Anderson film’ trend took over our feed. Instantly, creators jumped on, and both Instagram and Tik-Tok creators began highlighting moments from their day in a Wes Anderson way.
In an interview with Vogue, Lawyer Shyamolie Parikh quotes, “The idea was to make that process of something that we do every day a little bit more fun, add in that cinematic element,” of her reel featuring Kochi’s streets, grand bungalow gates, cupcakes and themselves wearing expressions not unlike Margot Tenenbaum’s. “We wore the saris to bring out the Indian aspect.”
From shots of individuals walking around their office, or home space, documenting small movements like making coffee, typing, walking, or meeting a friend, this trend quickly captured the attention of typically non-creators too.
Aside from the visual feast that this brought out on my feed, and yours too, what I found absolutely delightful to reveal in, was the hint that sometimes, almost seemingly mundane moments do have their golden ray. We just have to be patient enough to find it.
I believe one of the reasons we find these reels so pleasing to watch, and to create, is because of the relaxed transition time that this reel allows.
Unlike others, which are usually more fast-paced, or have text jumping out at you, with someone in the background dancing to this week’s popular tune, the Wes Anderson Film trend isn’t an assault on our senses.
As Parikh puts it, “there’s a little more harmony, a little more music.”
Personally, I still lie on the fence when it comes to making reels, but somehow, there was an ease, and comfort to this trend that in fact, made me a bit more resolute towards choosing to create more reels in the future.
But why Wes Anderson, you might ask. What is it about his cinema that lends itself to such virality—also evidenced in another long-standing Instagram account and trend, Accidentally Wes Anderson, which now has over 1.8M followers, and a popular coffee table book, that instantly appeals to our senses?
It is the romanticism of the every day.
The small moments of one’s day, that accounts to one’s life lived.
Wes Anderson’s films cover themes from love to loss, longing to despair, death to hope, birth to war, lust to jealousy—and just about any emotion that you can think of; because, in the end, it is that. His characters, could be you or I.
His films encourage us to live in the moment.
In this fast-paced digital world, where we're constantly connected to screens and technology, it's easy to lose sight of what's truly important in life. Anderson's films remind us to slow down, take a breath, and appreciate the world around us.
Take The Royal Tenenbaums, for example, he shows beauty in the mundane moments of life, like a family dinner, or a walk through the park. These moments may seem insignificant on the surface, but Anderson shows us that they're actually full of magic and wonder if we take the time to appreciate them.
So, why do I love Wes Anderson's films? Because they remind me to live in the moment, to find wonder in the world around me, and to embrace the joy of being alive. In a world that can often feel overwhelming and chaotic, Anderson's films provide a much-needed escape, a reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.
And it’s this playfulness that was highlighted through the videos made by creators from all across the world. Even if just for a fleeting few seconds to watch, our senses were allowed a moment’s respite, and we indulged in the wildly creative, colourful, and definitely idiosyncratic world of Wes Anderson, accidentally, of course.
Phew! Another Thursday has come, and another will come by soon. Until then, here’s a fun video titled ‘Wes Anderson Centered’ that highlights the fact that we’re all just living in Wes Anderson’s world.
I would love to hear from you! Let me know your thoughts on Wes Anderson— everything from your favourite film, to colour palette. Whether you even like watching his films as much as I do, or just say hello!