We have all had one of those moments. Mine happens when I’m wearing a vintage mu-mu dress and expressionlessly spraying plants with old style plant mister; I lean forward, my body moving at an inorganic right angle, I turn my head with unusual precision to stare at a ceramic dog statue, which stares at me with an equally fixed gaze, whimsical music begins playing in my head, and I suddenly know I’m in a Wes Anderson movie. It’s a lived reality just dying for its own meme, and the photographer Ava Williams made it happen.
“You better not act like you’re in a Wes Anderson movie when I get there,” is the warning floating over a ICT Tac posted by Williams on April 8, which has since received 2.2 million views. What follows is a charming 24-second sequence of Williams having fun on an empty commuter train in high Anderson style, both in character personification and aesthetics – symmetrically framed entrances, title cards Futura Bold and a perfectly positioned train ticket – all set to an excerpt from “Obituary” by Alexandre Desplat (part of the soundtrack of The French Dispatcha 2021 Anderson film).
It’s too good an idea not to emulate, and the internet wasted no time at all. Despite warnings that they ‘better not’, people are now pretending they’re in a Wes Anderson movie when they travel, go to lunchand even when they return to Ukrainian cities devastated by Russian occupation.
“It’s all been really crazy for me, especially since I’m a huge Wes Anderson fan,” Williams said. Hyperallergic in an interview. “I created the video in hopes of cheering me up after a pretty terrible week. I had been watching The French Dispatch with my parents the night before and I was inspired by it all. I wanted to recognize the moment I was living in, even if it was unpleasant, and make the most of it.
Williams’ inspiration sparked a wave of responses, from people at work in carpentry, museumsAnd warehouses For filmmakers doing direct mailings. Actor Michael Barrymore seems to have made it his new hobby.
“The idea that so many other people also want to capture these little things that they do every day is such a gift to behold and I’ve been in love with every single one of them,” Williams said. “I’m grateful for the response, it’s very heartwarming and certainly makes for better weeks.”
“But in particular, I’m very grateful to Wes Anderson who made it all what it is,” added Williams. “To have a style that so many people hope to be a part of, and let me even if it’s only in my imagination be a part of it.”
