Moonrise Kingdom

Part of Britten 50 Years On, celebrating Benjamin Britten in collaboration with The Baroque Collective

Moonrise Kingdom follows two troubled 12-year-olds – an orphaned Khaki Scout and a misunderstood local girl – who fall in love and run away together, turning their small community upside down. The film prominently features several Britten works, including Noye’s Fludde, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, and songs from Friday Afternoons.

Anderson first thought of using Britten’s music before the screenplay was complete. His personal childhood experience with Noye’s Fludde significantly shaped the aesthetic and narrative of the film and Britten’s music functions both diegetically (as music characters hear/perform) and structurally (as emotional architecture for the story). Anderson has spoken about Britten’s music as a colour and inspiration for the film’s mood and thematic resonance.

“Britten’s music is something I’ve always remembered, it made a very strong impression on me. It’s the colour of the movie in a way.” (Wes Anderson)

If you would like information about the content of this film, including potentially triggering material, please CLICK HERE for guidance from the BBFC