cfp.english.upenn.edu

I seek proposals for original critical essays on the films of Wes Anderson to be included in a possible edited collection.

The selection of Moonrise Kingdom (Anderson, 2012) as the opening film of this year’s Cannes Film Festival attests to Wes Anderson’s world-wide visibility and increasing relevance. His films, recognizable for their offbeat characters, eclectic soundtracks, and deadpan humor, have steadily built a loyal fan base since the successful release of his second film, Rushmore (Anderson, 1998). Through two short films and seven feature films, Anderson continues to cultivate a distinctive style that demonstrates the influence of European cinema, New American cinema, literature, classical music, and modern art, among others. This style has earned Anderson scores of admirers and detractors, which further testifies to his growing significance as a screenwriter and director.

I wish to include essays that situate and assess Anderson’s role in contemporary cinema, extending existing examinations of the depiction of family, discussions of auteurship or adaptation, or venturing into new areas of analysis. Additional topics may include his literary and cinematic influences, common formal characteristics of his films, his work in the context of his peers, role of place, representation of childhood versus adulthood, treatment of animals, or discussions of race, gender, class, and/or sexuality in his films.

Please submit 500-word proposals and a brief biography to wesandersonbook@gmail.com by Monday, October 1. Feel free to submit any questions you may have.