28th Annual Student Research Conference
"Longing for a Honey Dewed Past":
An Existentialist Analysis of Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel
Carlie Z. Holcombe
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
The film Grand Budapest Hotel is a whimsical fantasy account of humanity in a barbaric time. The story confirms many components of Nietzsche's philosophy including that meekness is a liability. Much of the philosophy includes absurdity, an individual code of ethics, and faith in actions. Monsieur Gustave lives in an absurd world in his pastel-cupcake-frosting-colored hotel. Hardly ethical, M. Gustaves approach to rightfully receiving his inheritance was definitely not pious but neither is the war surrounding the setting. Zweig, who initially inspired the film, was attracted to the rebellious nature of the philosophy which Director Wes Anderson, in return, duplicates in his films. This paper will expose the ways in which this film draws on Nietzsche existentialist values.
Keywords: Grand Budapest Hotel, Philosophy, Existentialism, Nietzsche, Stefan Zweig, Wes Anderson
Topic(s):English
Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 102-5
Location: VH 1010
Time: 9:00