**Wes Anderson's "The Phoenician Scheme" Debuts to Warm Applause at Cannes**

Wes Anderson once again captivated audiences at the Cannes Film Festival with the premiere of his highly-anticipated film, "The Phoenician Scheme." The star-studded event took place on Sunday night at the Lumière Theatre, featuring notable appearances by Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, and Riz Ahmed, among others.

In a unique twist, Anderson and his cast arrived by bus, adding a touch of whimsy to the already glamorous event. Joining them on the Palais steps were Jeffrey Wright, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bill Murray, Rupert Friend, co-writer Roman Coppola, and composer Alexandre Desplat. The ensemble waved goodbye to the weekend as they posed for photographers before the screening.

Although the Cannes Film Festival has seen generally lukewarm receptions this year, "The Phoenician Scheme" managed to secure a polite six-minute ovation. Mia Threapleton was visibly moved, seen hugging Michael Cera as tears streamed down her face during the applause. Once the cheers subsided, Anderson took a moment to express his gratitude to the cast for their hard work and dedication.

"The Phoenician Scheme" marks Anderson's fourth film to debut at Cannes, following "Moonrise Kingdom" (2012), "The French Dispatch" (2021), and "Asteroid City" (2023). The movie, set for release on May 30 via Focus Features, stars Benicio del Toro as Zsa-Zsa Korda, a European tycoon whose empire is built on dubious business deals. The plot thickens as Korda, having narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, names his estranged daughter Liesl, played by Mia Threapleton, as his heir. Liesl, on the verge of taking her vows as a nun, faces a complex inheritance amid high-stakes drama.

Returning Anderson collaborators include Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bryan Cranston, and Tom Hanks. Threapleton praised the collaborative environment fostered by Anderson, stating, "As a performer, it was amazing to play around within the scenes and try different things out and explore things with the sheer volume of talented people that he amasses."

"The Phoenician Scheme" joined a series of other high-profile premieres at this year's Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 13 to 24. The festival lineup included films such as "Die, My Love," "Eddington," "The Chronology of Water," "Nouvelle Vague," and "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning."