American director Wes Anderson publicly mocked Donald Trump’s recent proposal to impose a 100% tariff on foreign-made films, calling the idea impractical and potentially harmful to filmmakers like himself. Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, Anderson questioned the feasibility of such a policy, humorously wondering whether customs officials could realistically “hold up the movie.” His remarks came in response to Trump’s statement on his Truth Social platform, where the former president claimed the U.S. film industry was in decline due to American productions increasingly being shot abroad.
Industry Pushes Back as Trump Proposes 100% Tariff on Foreign-Made Films
Trump’s announcement blamed the downturn in the American film industry on filmmakers seeking cheaper production locations and foreign tax incentives. He argued that a 100% tariff would discourage this practice. Anderson, however, suggested the policy was unworkable and joked that such a tariff might mean Trump intends to take all the profits from foreign-made films. Anderson’s latest movie, The Phoenician Scheme, was filmed primarily in Germany, making him a direct target of such a tariff if it were implemented.
Wes Anderson Mocks Trump’s Tariff Plan on Foreign Films During Cannes AppearanceSince Trump’s tariff proposal on May 5, there has been no further clarification from him. Instead, major film studios, unions, and even Trump allies such as Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone have signed an open letter opposing the idea. They advocate for reviving the U.S. film industry through enhanced tax incentives, citing successful models in countries like the UK and Australia. This suggests a broad industry consensus that support and encouragement, rather than punishment, are more effective tools for revitalizing domestic filmmaking.
Anderson Explores Capitalist Morality with Star Cast and Sequel Plans at Cannes
The Phoenician Scheme, the film Anderson presented at Cannes, centers on a capitalist industrialist played by a Puerto Rican actor. The character survives an assassination attempt and begins to question his moral compass and the consequences of his actions. Anderson described this role as representing “the darkness of a certain kind of capitalist,” highlighting the film’s themes of responsibility and introspection in positions of power. These themes subtly mirror Anderson’s commentary on Trump’s policies and approach.
The film features a star-studded cast including Bill Murray, Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson, and Michael Cera. Anderson also revealed plans for future collaborations, including a script for a new project with British actor Richard Ayoade, who appears in The Phoenician Scheme as a guerrilla fighter. In a surprise moment during the festival, Anderson expressed interest in making a sequel to his 2004 film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, even sealing the idea with a handshake from Bill Murray, promising fans more whimsical storytelling to come.