I’ve been eagerly awaiting Moonrise Kingdom to hit theaters ever since I learned it was being filmed in the area where I live and work.  My friends and I were psyched that WES ANDERSON had chosen our Little Rhody for the site of his next movie…

I remember hearing about the celebrity sightings last summer –  Bruce Willis here, Frances McDormand there, Bill Murray shutting down a bar with the in-house band and buying everyone a round of drinks (this really happened, here).

Well Wes, you did our state proud. Real proud. Maybe it was because I could recognize exactly where many of the scenes were filmed – but the landscape and scenery of Moonrise Kingdom were electrifying. He captured it all –  the beaches, the rocky coves, the old houses, the stands of rhododendron, the meadows, and even the beautiful and eerie fog.  Wes Anderson is known for mixing time and place to create  new and imaginative destinations on screen and in our hearts.  But the Rhode Island landscape really is that unique and magical, he captured it so perfectly.

~Niko Tavernise~

~Niko Tavernise~

~Niko Tavernise~

Can Burak

~Niko Tavernise~

And here is a fun little video tour of the set, hosted by Bob Murray