Last week, we were lucky enough to get a sneak peek at Wes Anderson’s just-released Moonrise Kingdom at the U.S. cast and crew première right here in the City-by-the-Sea. The film was shown just days after it opened the famed Cannes Film Festival, where it received a 7-minute standing ovation according to Stephen Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office. Wes Anderson filmed a short message to the packed house (including stars Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward and members of Khaki Scout Troup 55) at Newport’s historic Jane Pickens Theater, and then it was on to the main event.
Moonrise Kingdom, a tale of two lovestruck 12-year-olds attempting flee their New England town, was filmed last summer entirely in Rhode Island with a base camp in Newport. Whether you’re planning your first visit to Newport, you’re a frequent visitor, or you live in the area, you might just recognize sights like Trinity Church and Ballard Park featured in the film. We have good reason to be a bit star-struck, as the cast of Moonrise Kingdom includes Ed Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton, and Harvey Keitel. Not only did these all-star actors work in Newport, but they enjoyed some free time in the town as well. Bill Murray was reportedly spotted at Perro Salado as well as the Mudville Pub watching a Newport Gulls game. Cast members were also spotted at the Hotel Viking’s Top of Newport -- a great summertime spot. In a circulating YouTube video, Murray gives a tour of the film’s set and opens saying "Here I am in a cardigan sweater, sitting here in Newport, Rhode Island, livin' la vida loca."
Cast members stayed at the Vanderbilt Grace Hotel during filming and the celebrity attention drawn to Newport doesn’t stop there. Actor James Franco wrote a glowing review of the movie for the Huffington Post after being invited to last week’s screening. And he is not the only one to give the film a thumbs up; rottentomatoes.com gave the film a rating of 96% and wrote, “the immaculately framed and beautifully acted Moonrise Kingdom presents writer/director Wes Anderson at his idiosyncratic best.”
Moonrise Kingdom is in select theaters nationwide now and is scheduled to show at Newport’s Jane Pickens Theater beginning June 21st.
Image Credit: Focus Features