Just before Writer/Director Wes Anderson’s new movie The Grand Budapest Hotel makes its way into theaters March 7, fans of the auteur’s work can experience one of his most-revered films on the big screen.
In order to celebrate Sibs Weekend, the Athena Cinema will be hosting a series of screenings of Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums, which will begin Friday and continue throughout the weekend for $5 matinee and $6.50 at night.
“On the surface, (The) Royal Tenenbaums is a quirky film about an extremely dysfunctional family, but a closer look reveals that this is a film about the past, about being stuck in perpetual childhood,” said Gordon Briggs, a former graduate film student now working on Ph.D. in interdisciplinary arts. “It is only by reconciling the past — in this case familial relationships — that the characters truly grow up and become a functional, albeit non traditional, family unit.”
The Athena regularly chooses timely-themed movies and this is the first time Briggs’ film selection will be screening at the theater.
“For the past (few) years, our director Alex Kamody has engaged Athena Cinema with OU's special weekends by bringing in movies that related to the occasions,” said Hsin-ning Chang, head projectionist at the Athena Cinema. “This year we sought suggestions on film titles from a graduated film student (Briggs). He brought up The Royal Tenenbaums, and this immediately clicked.”
As an added bonus, those audience members who dress up as their favorite character to one of the screenings will receive a free bag of popcorn with admittance. Though, the theater jokes, smoking will not be allowed during showings.
One of those people familiar with the film is Christina Carrizales, a junior studying communication, who plans to attend one of this weekend’s screenings dressed up as Margot.
“I never saw it on the big screen to begin with,” Carrizales said. “A friend lent it to me because Wes Anderson movies are the best. I’m excited to see it on the big screen because each frame of the movie is a work of art in itself. I will be better able to appreciate the artistry because details will be more evident on the big screen.”
Still, the event is all about bringing families and sibs out to the theater.
“Most of the student population is leaving their families for the first time and are coming into their own as individuals,” Briggs said. “Tenenbaums is the perfect illustration of the conflict between individuals and their families.
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