The Artificial Hypocrisy of the Fairytale Atmosphere: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Abstract

As a prominent example of the symbiotic relationship between cinema and architecture, Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) is a typical example of his unique narrative approach and has been the subject of many discussions in different disciplines and platforms. There are many lessons to learn as architects and students of architecture, such as the use of color in design, balance in spatial settings, perception of space in movies, and an introductory approach to architectural history. Beyond the basic design principles, the uniqueness it carries comes from Anderson's distinctive approach to storytelling and cinematography that shapes the multilayered atmosphere supported by cinematic tools such as narrative architecture, camera techniques, and set design. By analyzing the continuous changes in the atmosphere; and the contrasts in the spatial and atmospheric properties of the movie with its events, characters, and feelings, this paper aims to explore the intricate relationship between the atmosphere, emotional tonality, and architecture that enrich the narrative and cinematic experience. The Grand Budapest Hotel demonstrates to architects how space, people, and incidents are tuned by an atmosphere and its emotional tonality. It allows for an exploration of the intricate relationship between the atmosphere, emotional tonality, and architecture to enrich the narrative. The analysis shows that the movie's contrast, superimposed, and hypocritical spaces are an essential part of the unexpected and unusual multilayered atmosphere in The Grand Budapest Hotel. In that sense, the hypocrisy associated with this movie is artificial since they are director Wes Anderson's intentional creations.