Well you’ve heard the hype, seen the film, enjoyed the performances, counted all those awards and now it’s time to read the book. Without a doubt one of the best films of 2014 and of Wes Anderson’s career so far The Grand Budapest Hotel stands head and shoulders amongst it’s peers for the all the extra jaw-dropping attention to detail that Wes so generously lavishes on the viewer. Not content with just telling a brilliant story each of his films are uniquely visual masterpieces where each and every person, prop or parlour are framed to complete perfection in his own inimitable, enigmatic and instanly recognisible style.
For those of you who like to get under the skin of their bonafide cinematic geniuses, author Matt Zoller Seitz conducted a series of interviews with Anderson to capture the inside story behind the film’s creation conception and the wide variety of sources that inspired it. From author Stefan Zweig to filmmaker Ernst Lubitsch to photo chrome landscapes of turn-of-the-century Middle Europe. Add to this critical essays from a raft of respected writers plus in-depth interviews with the film’s costume designer, composer, lead actor (Ralph Fiennes), designer and cinematographer and you have all that you will ever want to know about this immense film all wrapped up in one beautiful book. Oh and there’s loads of previously unseen photos, ephemera and artwork tastefully positioned in amongst all this too, including some nice shots of Wes doing a bit of directing whilst immaculately attired (obviously).
Available now from here.
Images: Grand Budapest Hotel © 2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.
