Exclusive Insight into Wes Anderson's Magical Collaboration: Unveiling Roald Dahl's Narration and the Director's Vision

Summary

Wes Anderson chooses to use Roald Dahl's original text for his film narrations because he is equally interested in the way Dahl tells the story as he is in the story itself.

Anderson's movies are driven by his strong urge to transform Dahl's stories, using his own unique language and vivid descriptions. Without Dahl's words and descriptions as a source of inspiration, Anderson would not feel the motivation to create these movies.

Recognizing Dahl as a skilled storyteller, Anderson holds a deep respect for him and seamlessly integrates Dahl's narration into his films. This artistic approach allows the actors to not only act out the scenes but also deliver Dahl's precise words with authenticity and fidelity.

Wes Anderson discusses his use of Roald Dahl's original narration in his shorts. Anderson introduced Dahl's unique world to his distinct visual style in the 2009 stop-motion feature, Fantastic Mr. Fox. He later directed four short films based on Dahl's stories, including The Swan, Poison, The Rat Catcher, and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. The latter film is now streaming on Netflix and has been praised as one of Anderson's finest works.

During a conversation with Netflix, the director delved into the reasoning behind his decision to incorporate Dahl's original text into his film narration. Anderson expressed his fascination with both the story itself and the way Dahl tells it. He embraced Dahl's "words" and "description" to bring his adaptations to life. See the complete quote from Anderson below:

I had the idea to adapt Henry Sugar nearly twenty years ago while staying at Gipsy House, Dahl's family home in Buckinghamshire. At the same time, I realized that I didn't know how to approach it. However, the Dahl family, including Felicity Dahl and Dahl's grandson Luke Kelly, set aside the rights to the story for me. Eventually, I had a moment of inspiration where I realized that I was just as fascinated by Dahl's storytelling style as I was by the story itself. As a child, the story captivated me, but without Dahl's words, it didn't feel like a movie I was compelled to make. It's a fantastic Dahl story, but it's only by utilizing his words and descriptions that I feel confident in bringing it to life.

The story is being narrated directly to you. This is why Dahl himself is involved, as he is not just the author but also the storyteller. The actors both embody the characters and recite Dahl's words.

Why Wes Anderson Is the Perfect Director for Roald Dahl Works

Anderson frequently incorporates narrators in his films, even when he doesn't have source material to draw from. An example can be seen in Moonrise Kingdom, where Bob Balaban's detached narrator helps guide the audience through Sam and Suzy's backgrounds and love story. This use of narration in his recent shorts is not surprising, but what sets it apart is that it uses Dahl's original text.

Anderson's profound admiration for Dahl is evident, making him the perfect choice to tackle The Swan, The Ratcatcher, Poison, and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. In an interview, Anderson humbly relinquishes some authorial control to the great "storyteller" that is Dahl. Instead of using his own words for the sake of originality, Anderson honors the creator of the masterpiece by striving for a more authentic adaptation.

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In spite of that, Anderson's characteristic style with consistent color palettes, sharp cuts, and meticulous symmetry can still be observed in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and other Dahl shorts. His storytelling has a storybook quality, which lends itself well to fantasy or unreality, as seen in his realistic-science-fiction film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Anderson's approach is unique among directors, and applying this style to popular children's books, while still honoring Dahl's work, truly makes Anderson's Dahl shorts stand out.