``The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou'' Wes Anderson's filmmaking and feelings for his friends reflected in the fantastical ocean adventure

Putting your own feelings about filmmaking into your work

At the center of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is Steve Zissou, an oceanographer and film director played by Bill Murray.

The red knit hat he wears like a trademark suggests that this character is inspired by the French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau ( The World of Silence, 56, which won the Cannes Palme d'Or and the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature). It is clear that he is modeled after the famous Japanese author (also famous for his work).

However, this does not mean that there is a biographical or parodic connection; this work places ``people belonging to some kind of group'' on board an exploration ship, which is a familiar motif in Anderson's work, and they sometimes face troubles and difficulties. The story depicts how the characters support each other as they go on an adventure, even though they have many bumps in the road.

"The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" (c)Photofest / Getty Images

As I listened to the audio commentary on the DVD, Anderson's words struck me deeply.

"Movies are made together with friends. I wanted to express that in this work. It's what I feel can be called the magic of movies."

Indeed, the scenes of the marine documentary production team led by Zishu touring film festivals, struggling to raise funds, and encountering various troubles on the open sea after finally making preparations, are a perfect example of how they work hard to make a film. It's like people's life's work.

This movie seems to reflect a lot of the Anderson group's development of family-like bonds with each staff member as they head towards a single destination.

Something similar to Fellini's masterpiece