There’s a 24-hour Wes Anderson film marathon in Liverpool this weekend

Fans of US filmmaker Wes Anderson can binge watch his entire back catalogue of movies on the big screen at a special event dedicated to him in Liverpool this weekend.

Picturehouse at FACT is holding a 24-hour Wes Fest, showing 11 Wes Anderson films back-to-back in a marathon screening session.

The eccentric director is known for creating highly stylised worlds in films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Royal Tenenbaums and The French Dispatch. 

Wes Anderson also attracts casts packed with Hollywood A-listers from Bill Murray, Ben Stiller and Timothée Chalamet to Gwyneth Paltrow and Scarlett Johansson.

Picturehouse at FACT is showing his full filmography from 12 noon on Saturday June 17, right through the night until late morning on Sunday – that’s a whopping 1440 minutes of weird and wonderful Wes-ness!

The 24 hours will reach its finale with a preview of his latest film, Asteroid City starring Margot Robbie, Tom Hanks and Adrien Brody among many others. Asteroid City’s coming straight from its Cannes premiere and isn’t due for general release until Friday June 23 so Festgoers will be getting to see it ahead of the crowds.

There’ll be a 30-minute break in between each of the films for a breather, and the cinema’s planning games and prizes, and giveaways including Mendl’s cakes (as a nod to the Grand Budapest bakery).

It’s also encouraging fans to pay homage to their favourite characters out of a huge list to choose from and dress up for the event.

Picturehouse at FACT general manager Dom Scriven says Wes Fest will be a first for the Liverpool cinema.

“The last through-the-night screening was for the Alien quadrilogy which is going back a long time, over 10 years, and this is the first time we’ve done a full 24-hour one.

“Tickets cover the whole festival but if there is a film people don’t like as much as others they’re more than welcome to leave, maybe go and get something to eat and come back, they can dip in and out. So long as they’ve got their ticket that entitles them to their seat, and they can see as many as they want. 

“We’ll have short breaks between the films which will be an opportunity for people to refresh and stretch their legs, and do whatever they need to keep themselves awake, because we are expecting some people will manage to do the full 24 hours. It’s a challenge but I think there are enough hardcore Wes fans out there who’ll be all-in for it.

“I think we’ll probably get quite a few coming in character too. There are such a lot of very recognisable characters, costumes and set designs so we’ll probably have a few Tenenbaums, tracksuits and fur coats or some tennis outfits, and we could also see someone as a fox or maybe a lobby boy.”

The marathon starts with Wes Anderson ’s directorial debut Bottle Rocket and ends with Asteroid City which, says Dom, will be fans’ reward for making it through the 24 hours.

“Everyone who sticks it out right the way through the night and Sunday morning will get the first chance to see the new film because that’s the one that rounds it all off. It’s a week before most people will be able to see it so that’s a big thing for fans. With films obviously there’s so much coverage on social media and people don’t want anything spoiled for them especially if it’s something that’s been highly-anticipated. They want to watch as early as possible before anyone can ruin it for them.”

Get more info about Wes Fest HERE.

Get the latest film news for Liverpool HERE.

The full line-up for this weekend’s Wes Fest is:

12pm Saturday: BOTTLE ROCKET

2.10pm RUSHMORE

4.10pm THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS 

Dinner break

6.50pm THE LIFE AQUATIC

9.20pm THE DARJEELING LIMITED + Hotel Chevalier short film

11.30pm FANTASTIC MR.FOX

1.20am MOONRISE KINGDOM

3.10am THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

5.10am ISLE OF DOGS

7.00am THE FRENCH DISPATCH

Breakfast break

9.30am ASTEROID CITY