The French Dispatch

In 1975, in the fictional French town of Ennui-sur-Blasé,{{efn|From French, literally, "boredom on jaded".}} Arthur Howitzer Jr., the editor of the magazine The French Dispatch, dies of a heart attack. According to the wishes expressed in his will, publication of the magazine is immediately suspended following one final farewell issue, in which four articles are published, along with an obituary.

Herbsaint Sazerac delivers a cycling tour of Ennui-sur-Blasé, demonstrating several key areas such as the arcade, Le Sans Blague café and a pickpocket's alleyway. He compares the past and the present of each place, demonstrating how much and yet how little has changed in Ennui over time.

J.K.L. Berensen delivers a lecture at the art gallery of her former employer, Upshur "Maw" Clampette, in which she details the career of Moses Rosenthaler. Rosenthaler, a mentally disturbed artist serving a 50-year sentence in the Ennui prison for double murder, paints an abstract nude portrait of Simone, a guard with whom he develops a relationship. Julien Cadazio, an art dealer also serving time for tax evasion, is immediately taken by the painting and buys it despite Rosenthaler's protests. Upon his release, Cadazio convinces his family of art exhibitors to put it on display, and Rosenthaler soon becomes a sensation in the art world. Privately, Rosenthaler struggles with inspiration to the point of near-suicide, and devotes himself to a long-term project at Simone's challenging.

Three years later, Cadazio, his uncles, Clampette, Berensen, and a mob of artists inspired by Rosenthaler, all frustrated at the lack of further paintings, bribe their way into the prison to confront him, only to discover that his masterpiece is in fact a series of frescoes in the concrete prison hall. Angered that the paintings are irremovable from the prison, Cadazio gets into a physical altercation with Rosenthaler, but soon comes to appreciate the paintings for what they are, and later arranges for the entire wall to be airlifted out of the prison into a private museum in Kansas, owned by Clampette. For his actions in halting a prison riot that breaks out during the reveal of the paintings, Rosenthaler is released on probation. Simone also departs after earning a great sum of money for becoming the inspiration and motivation for Rosenthaler during his incarceration. Simone and Rosenthaler maintain correspondence following his release, but never see each other again.

Lucinda Krementz reports on a student protest breaking out in the streets of Ennui that soon boils over into the "Chessboard Revolution", so-called for the students using chess to communicate with the police. While the revolution initially is inspired by petty concerns over access to the girls' dormitory, the traumatic military conscription of one student, Mitch-Mitch, inspires greater uprising.

Despite her insistence on maintaining "journalistic neutrality", Krementz has a brief romance with Zeffirelli, a self-styled leader of the revolt, and secretly helps him write his manifesto and adds an appendix. Juliette, a fellow revolutionary, is unimpressed with his manifesto. After they briefly express their disagreement about its contents, Krementz discovers that Juliette is in fact infatuated with Zeffirelli and is jealous of her closeness with him. She then tells the two to "go make love", which they do.

A few weeks later, Zeffirelli dies attempting repairs on the tower of a revolutionary pirate radio station, and soon a photograph of his likeness becomes symbolic of the movement. Five years later, Krementz translates Mitch-Mitch's theatrical dramatization of his conscription, and Zeffirelli's death, for a National Playhouse production of his play (at the downstairs Knoblock Theatre).

During a television interview, Roebuck Wright recounts the story of his attending a private dinner with The Commissaire of the Ennui police force, prepared by legendary police officer/chef Lt. Nescaffier. Nescaffier is a famous specialist in a kind of haute cuisine specifically designed to be eaten by working police officers. The dinner is disrupted when the Commissaire's son Gigi is kidnapped and held for ransom by criminals, led by a failed musician labelled The Chauffeur.

The kidnappers represent the warring criminal syndicates of Ennui-sur-Blasé, and demand the release of an underworld accountant Albert, nicknamed "the Abacus", who possesses their shared financial records. The Abacus is being held in a solitary confinement cell at police headquarters. Wright recollects his own imprisonment in that same cell for his homosexuality, for which he was bailed out by Howitzer and offered a job at the Dispatch.

Following a shoot-out at the kidnapper's hideout, Gigi manages to sneak out a message in Morse code to "send the cook". Lt. Nescaffier is sent into the kidnappers' hideout, ostensibly to provide both them and Gigi with food, but secretly the food is laced with poison. The criminals all succumb to the poison except Gigi and The Chauffeur as neither ate the poisoned radishes, and Nescaffier just barely survives after willingly sampling the food to trick the criminals. The Chauffeur escapes with Gigi, and leads the police on a chase. Gigi manages to escape through the car's sunroof and reunites with his father. During his recovery, Nescaffier saves The Abacus from starving to death by preparing him an omelette, the prisoner having been totally forgotten in the commotion.

Back at the Dispatch office, Howitzer tells Wright to reinsert a deleted segment. In it, a recovering Nescaffier tells Wright that the taste of the poison was unlike anything he had ever eaten before, before they reflect on the state of being foreigners in France, and outsiders to society as a whole. Howitzer and Wright disagree on whether this conversation is the heart of the piece.

In an epilogue, the French Dispatch staff mourn Howitzer's death, but set to work putting together a final issue to honor his memory.

During the closing credits, there is a dedication to the following writers and editors, many of whom were associated with The New Yorker: Harold Ross, William Shawn, Rosamond Bernier, Mavis Gallant, James Baldwin, A. J. Liebling, S. N. Behrman, Lillian Ross, Janet Flanner, Lucy Sante, James Thurber, Joseph Mitchell, Wolcott Gibbs, St. Clair McKelway, Ved Mehta, Brendan Gill, E. B. White, and Katharine White, and additionally to Christophe, writer of the featured song "Aline". Accompanying the credits are covers of the French Dispatch which are reminiscent of The New Yorker covers.

• Owen Wilson as Herbsaint Sazerac, a travel writer and staff-member of the French Dispatch, based on Joseph Mitchell, a writer for The New Yorker.

{{Cast listing|

• Benicio del Toro as Moses Rosenthaler, an imprisoned artist, loosely based on the incarcerated Mexican painter David Alfaro Siqueiros
• Tony Revolori as young Rosenthaler
• Adrien Brody as Julien Cadazio, an art dealer, based on Lord Duveen
• Tilda Swinton as J.K.L. Berensen, a writer and staff-member of the French Dispatch, based on Rosamond Bernier{{cite web |title=The New Yorker Instagram Account |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CUaHoq3NkMn/?hl=en |website=instagram.com |access-date=29 January 2022 |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206195123/https://www.instagram.com/p/CUaHoq3NkMn/?hl=en |url-status=live }}
• Léa Seydoux as Simone, a prison guard and Rosenthaler's muse
• Bob Balaban as Uncle Nick, an uncle and business partner to Cadazio
• Henry Winkler as Uncle Joe, an uncle and business partner to Cadazio
• Lois Smith as Upshur "Maw" Clampette, an art collector
• Denis Menochet as Prison Guard
• Larry Pine as Chief Magistrate
• Morgane Polanski as Girlfriend
• Félix Moati as Head Caterer

}}

{{Cast listing|

• Frances McDormand as Lucinda Krementz, a journalist profiling the student revolutionaries, based on Mavis Gallant
• Timothée Chalamet as Zeffirelli, a student revolutionary
• Lyna Khoudri as Juliette, a student revolutionary
• Mohamed Belhadjine as Mitch-Mitch, a student revolutionary who is conscripted
• Tom Hudson as an actor playing Mitch-Mitch on stage
• Nicolas Avinée as Vittel, a student revolutionary
• Christoph Waltz as Paul Duval, a friend of the B family
• Cécile de France as Mrs. B, Zeffirelli's mother
• Guillaume Gallienne as Mr. B, Zeffirelli's father
• Rupert Friend as Drill-Sergeant, an actor playing a soldier
• Alex Lawther as Morisot, an actor playing a despondent military recruit
• Toheeb Jimoh as Cadet #1, an actor playing a military recruit
• Lily Taleb as Juliette's friend, a student revolutionary
• Stéphane Bak as Communications Specialist for the police
• Jarvis Cocker as the singing voice of Tip-Top, a popular chanteur
• Bruno Delbonnel as the picture of François-Marie Charvet, a revolutionary

}}

{{Cast listing|

• Jeffrey Wright as Roebuck Wright, a food journalist based on an amalgamation of James Baldwin and A. J. Liebling
• Liev Schreiber as Talk Show Host, based on Dick Cavett
• Mathieu Amalric as Commissaire de la Vilatte, a policeman with a kidnapped son
• Stephen Park as Nescaffier, a chef and police officer who solves a kidnapping, whose name is a play on Auguste Escoffier and Nescafé
• Hippolyte Girardot as Chou-fleur, the Commissiare's oldest friend
• Willem Dafoe as Albert "the Abacus", a prisoner and underworld accountant
• Edward Norton as Chauffeur Joe Lefèvre, the head kidnapper
• Saoirse Ronan as Junkie / Showgirl #1, a member of the kidnapping gang
• Winsen Ait Hellal as Isadore Sharif "Gigi" de la Vilatte, the Commissaire's kidnapped son
• Mauricette Coudivat as Louise "Maman" de la Vilatte, the Commissiare's mother
• Damien Bonnard as Police Detective
• Rodolphe Pauly as Patrolman Marpassant
• Antonia Desplat as Junkie / Showgirl #2, a kidnapper

}}

{{Cast listing|

• Bill Murray as Arthur Howitzer Jr., the editor of the French Dispatch, based on Harold Ross, the co-founder of The New Yorker
• Elisabeth Moss as Alumna, a copy editor of the French Dispatch staff
• Jason Schwartzman as Hermes Jones, a cartoonist and member of the French Dispatch staff
• Fisher Stevens as Story Editor
• Griffin Dunne as Legal Advisor
• Pablo Pauly as Waiter
• Wally Wolodarsky as Cheery Writer, who has never completed an article
• Anjelica Bette Fellini as Proofreader
• Anjelica Huston as the narrator{{cite web|url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/festival/films/the-french-dispatch|title=The French Dispatch|website=Cannes Film Festival|access-date=June 28, 2021|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628174759/https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/festival/films/the-french-dispatch|url-status=live}}

}}

The film has been described as "a love letter to journalists set at an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional 20th-century French city", centering on four stories.{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/12/wes-anderson-the-french-dispatch-france-casting-1202024587/ |title=Wes Anderson Is Shooting 'The French Dispatch' in France — Exclusive |last=Thompson |first=Anne |author-link=Anne Thompson (film journalist) |date=December 2, 2018 |work=IndieWire |access-date=December 2, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202223558/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/12/wes-anderson-the-french-dispatch-france-casting-1202024587/ |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |language=en-US}} It brings to life a collection of tales published in the eponymous The French Dispatch, based in the fictional French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/wes-anderson-reveals-cast-first-details-new-movie-french-dispatch-2549957 |title=Wes Anderson reveals cast of new movie 'The French Dispatch' |date=September 20, 2019 |website=NME |first=Nick |last=Reilly |language=en-GB |access-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216192023/https://www.nme.com/news/wes-anderson-reveals-cast-first-details-new-movie-french-dispatch-2549957 |url-status=live }} The film is inspired by Wes Anderson's love of The New Yorker, and some characters and events in the film are based on real-life equivalents from the magazine.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/a-look-at-wes-andersons-new-new-yorker-inspired-film|title=A Look at Wes Anderson's New, New Yorker-inspired Film|date=February 11, 2020|access-date=February 11, 2020|magazine=The New Yorker|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102233155/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/a-look-at-wes-andersons-new-new-yorker-inspired-film|url-status=live}} Arthur Howitzer Jr., the Kansas-born editor of the Dispatch, was based on The New Yorker founding editor Harold Ross, who came from Colorado. A. J. Liebling served as a secondary inspiration for the character. The character Herbsaint Sazerac was inspired by The New Yorker writer Joseph Mitchell. The food journalist Roebuck Wright was based on an amalgamation of James Baldwin, Liebling and Tennessee Williams.{{cite web |last1=Ryzik |first1=Melena |title=In the Company of Wes Anderson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/movies/the-french-dispatch-wes-anderson.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article |website=The New York Times |access-date=November 28, 2021 |date=October 22, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128225219/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/movies/the-french-dispatch-wes-anderson.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article |url-status=live }} The story "Revisions to a Manifesto" was inspired by Mavis Gallant's two-part article "The Events in May: A Paris Notebook", centering on the May 68 student protests. "The Concrete Masterpiece" was inspired by the 1951 feature "The Days of Duveen", a six-part profile on art dealer Lord Duveen, upon which the character Julien Cadazio (played by Adrien Brody) is modeled. The character Upshur "Maw" Clampette was based on art collector Dominique de Menil, and J.K.L. Berensen was inspired by art lecturer Rosamond Bernier.

When speaking to French publication Charente Libre in April 2019, Anderson said: "The story is not easy to explain . . . [It's about an] American journalist based in France [who] creates his magazine. It is more a portrait of this man, of this journalist who fights to write what he wants to write. It's not a movie about freedom of the press, but when you talk about reporters you also talk about what's going on in the real world."{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/the-french-dispatch-explained-wes-anderson-cast-spoilers-details/|title='The French Dispatch': Everything You Need to Know About Wes Anderson's New Movie|last=Sharf|first=Zack|date=2019-08-23|website=IndieWire|language=en|access-date=2020-02-03|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125102709/https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/the-french-dispatch-explained-wes-anderson-cast-spoilers-details/|url-status=live}}

In August 2018, it was reported Anderson would write and direct an untitled musical film set in France, post World War II.{{Cite web |url=http://collider.com/wes-anderson-musical/ |title=Wes Anderson's Next Film Could Be a Post-World War II Musical Set in France, Obviously |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |date=August 15, 2018 |website=Collider |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815230100/http://collider.com/wes-anderson-musical/ |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |access-date=August 15, 2018}} In November 2018, it was announced Jeremy Dawson would produce the film, with Tilda Swinton and Mathieu Amalric starring in the film. Dawson also confirmed the film is not a musical.{{Cite web |url=https://theplaylist.net/producer-wes-anderson-not-musical-20181121/ |title=Producer Gives Plot Details About Wes Anderson's Upcoming Film & Says It's Not A Musical |last=Barfield |first=Charles |date=November 21, 2018 |website=The Playlist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055518/https://theplaylist.net/producer-wes-anderson-not-musical-20181121/ |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=December 2, 2018}} Additionally, Natalie Portman, Brad Pitt, and Léa Seydoux were rumored for roles in the film.{{Cite web |url=http://collider.com/tilda-swinton-wes-anderson-musical/ |title=Tilda Swinton Joins Wes Anderson's French Musical; Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman Rumored |website=Collider |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005739/http://collider.com/tilda-swinton-wes-anderson-musical/ |archive-date=December 4, 2018 |access-date=December 3, 2018|date=November 16, 2018 }} In December 2018, it was announced Anderson would write and direct the film, with Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Benicio del Toro, and Jeffrey Wright; Seydoux was confirmed to star in the film alongside Swinton and Amalric, with Steven Rales producing under his Indian Paintbrush banner and Fox Searchlight Pictures distributing.Multiple sources:

• {{Cite web |url=https://thefilmstage.com/news/timothee-chalamet-benicio-del-toro-more-join-wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch/ |title=Timothée Chalamet, Benicio del Toro & More Join Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' |last=Raup |first=Jordan |date=December 2, 2018 |website=The Film Stage |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203010925/https://thefilmstage.com/news/timothee-chalamet-benicio-del-toro-more-join-wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch/ |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=December 2, 2018 }}
• {{Cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/details-about-wes-andersons-next-film-the-french-dispatch.html |title=Wes Anderson's Next Film, The French Dispatch, Is a 'Love Letter to Journalists' |last=Ivre |first=Devon |date=December 2, 2018 |website=Vulture |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055506/https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/details-about-wes-andersons-next-film-the-french-dispatch.html |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=December 2, 2018 }}
• {{Cite web |url=https://theplaylist.net/brad-pitt-lea-seydoux-french-dispatch-20181205/ |title=Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch': Brad Pitt Is Out But Léa Seydoux Will Star In The Upcoming Film |last=Barfield |first=Charles |date=December 5, 2018 |website=The Playlist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206194605/https://theplaylist.net/brad-pitt-lea-seydoux-french-dispatch-20181205// |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |access-date=December 5, 2018 }}
• {{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/timothee-chalamet-wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch-1202970578/ |title=Timothee Chalamet Joins Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray in Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=December 6, 2018 |website=Variety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206235405/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/timothee-chalamet-wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch-1202970578/ |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |access-date=December 6, 2018 }}
• {{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/fox-searchlight-wes-anderson-french-dispatch-1203341944/ |title=Fox Searchlight Buys Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=September 19, 2019 |website=Variety |url-status=live |access-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921085952/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/fox-searchlight-wes-anderson-french-dispatch-1203341944/ }} Timothée Chalamet's role was written with him in mind.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/10/wes-anderson-casting-timothee-chalamet-french-dispatch-1234592984/|title=Why Wes Anderson Cast Timothée Chalamet: He Belongs in the French New Wave|website=IndieWire|date=October 16, 2020|last=Sharf|first=Zack|quote=I had seen Timmy in Lady Bird and Call Me by Your Name and I never had the inconvenience of ever thinking of anybody else for this role even for a second.|access-date=July 5, 2021|archive-date=September 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918180431/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/10/wes-anderson-casting-timothee-chalamet-french-dispatch-1234592984/|url-status=live}}

Later that month, Lois Smith and Saoirse Ronan joined the cast.{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/wes-anderson-french-dispatch-lois-smith-1203085731/ |title=Wes Anderson's 'French Dispatch' Adds Lois Smith |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=December 10, 2018 |website=Variety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210232505/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/wes-anderson-french-dispatch-lois-smith-1203085731/ |archive-date=December 10, 2018 |access-date=December 10, 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/12/saoirse-ronan-french-dispatch-wes-anderson-chalamet-reunion-1202030402/ |title=Saoirse Ronan Joins 'The French Dispatch,' Reuniting With Wes Anderson and Timothée Chalamet |website=IndieWire|first=Zack|last=Sharf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225123315/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/12/saoirse-ronan-french-dispatch-wes-anderson-chalamet-reunion-1202030402/ |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |access-date=December 24, 2018|date=December 24, 2018 }} In January 2019, Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Henry Winkler,{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/henry-winkler-joins-wes-andersons-french-dispatch-1175078 |title=Henry Winkler Joins Wes Anderson Movie 'French Dispatch' (Exclusive) |website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 10, 2019|first=Borys|last=Kit|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110232319/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/henry-winkler-joins-wes-andersons-french-dispatch-1175078 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |access-date=January 10, 2019}} Willem Dafoe, Bob Balaban, Steve Park, Denis Ménochet, Lyna Khoudri, Alex Lawther,{{Cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/the-end-of-the-fing-world-star-alex-lawther-joins-wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch-exclusive/5136387.article |title='The End Of The F***ing World' star Alex Lawther joins Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' (exclusive) |last=Grater |first=Tom |date=January 31, 2019 |website=Screen International |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131201520/https://www.screendaily.com/news/the-end-of-the-fing-world-star-alex-lawther-joins-wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch-exclusive/5136387.article |archive-date=January 31, 2019 |access-date=January 31, 2019}} Félix Moati, Benjamin Lavernhe, Guillaume Gallienne, and Cécile de France were cast.{{Cite web |url=http://www.charentelibre.fr/2019/01/08/adrien-brody-benicio-del-toro-owen-wilson-willem-dafoe-pluie-de-stars-sur-la-ville,3369101.php |title=Adrien Brody, Benicio del Toro, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe: Pluie De Stars Sur La Ville! |date=January 8, 2019 |website=Charente Libre |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110184410/http://www.charentelibre.fr/2019/01/08/adrien-brody-benicio-del-toro-owen-wilson-willem-dafoe-pluie-de-stars-sur-la-ville,3369101.php |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |access-date=January 10, 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.lesinrocks.com/2019/01/31/cinema/un-casting-francais-de-luxe-pour-french-dispatch-de-wes-anderson-111163552/ |title=A luxury French casting for Wes Anderson's "The French Dispatch" |last=Sarreau |first=Lea Andre |date=January 31, 2019 |website=Les Inrockuptibles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131201622/https://www.lesinrocks.com/2019/01/31/cinema/un-casting-francais-de-luxe-pour-french-dispatch-de-wes-anderson-111163552/ |archive-date=January 31, 2019 |access-date=January 31, 2019}} Robert D. Yeoman served as the film's cinematographer.{{Cite web |url=https://thegww.com/wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch-casts-henry-winkler-and-hires-stunt-coordinator-dominique-fouassier/ |title=Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' Casts Henry Winkler and Hires Stunt Coordinator Dominique Fouassier |last=Tyler |first=Jacob |date=January 10, 2019 |website=thegww.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111234048/https://thegww.com/wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch-casts-henry-winkler-and-hires-stunt-coordinator-dominique-fouassier/ |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |access-date=January 11, 2019}} In February 2019, it was announced Wally Wolodarsky, Fisher Stevens, Griffin Dunne, and Jason Schwartzman had joined the cast of the film.{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt6U4fWApNO/ |title=Boxes in the wardrobe department for Wes Anderson's "The French Dispatch" where the brilliant costumer Milena Canonero keeps the belongings of the characters. The only time I'll get top billing over Bill Murray so I'd better get a pic of it. |last=Dunne |first=Griffin |date=February 15, 2019 |website=Instagram.com |access-date=February 15, 2019}} In April 2019, Christoph Waltz, Rupert Friend, and Elisabeth Moss were cast.{{Cite web |url=https://theplaylist.net/wes-anderson-christoph-waltz-french-dispatch-20190415/ |title=Wes Anderson Says Christoph Waltz Has Small Role In 'The French Dispatch' & Reveals More Details Including Possible Late-2019 Release |last=Barfield |first=Charles |date=April 15, 2019 |website=The Playlist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415211508/https://theplaylist.net/wes-anderson-christoph-waltz-french-dispatch-20190415/ |archive-date=April 15, 2019 |access-date=April 15, 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/elisabeth-moss-feminist-invisible-man-reboot-her-smell-1204707 |title=Elisabeth Moss on 'Her Smell' and a Feminist Take on 'The Invisible Man' |website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 25, 2019|first=Brian|last=Davids|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425193735/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/elisabeth-moss-feminist-invisible-man-reboot-her-smell-1204707 |archive-date=April 25, 2019 |access-date=April 25, 2019}} Initially, Kate Winslet was also part of the cast, but had to exit the project to prepare for her next role in Ammonite.{{Cite web |url=https://theplaylist.net/kate-winslet-french-dispatch-20190129/ |title=Saoirse Ronan Reveals Kate Winslet Is Latest Actor To Join Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' |website=The Playlist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130000106/https://theplaylist.net/kate-winslet-french-dispatch-20190129/ |archive-date=January 30, 2019 |access-date=January 29, 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/oh-f-ive-forgotten-how-to-act-kate-winslet-back-in-the-awards-race-with-same-sex-romance-ammonite-on-getting-back-to-work |title=Oh F***, I've Forgotten How to Act": Kate Winslet, Back in the Awards Race With Same-Sex Romance 'Ammonite,' on Getting Back to Work |website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 26, 2020|first=Tatiana|last=Siegel|access-date=August 26, 2020 |archive-date=August 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827183332/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/oh-f-ive-forgotten-how-to-act-kate-winslet-back-in-the-awards-race-with-same-sex-romance-ammonite-on-getting-back-to-work |url-status=live }}

Principal photography began in November 2018, in the city of Angoulême in southwestern France and wrapped in March 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://www.backstage.com/resources/detail/productionlisting/untitled-wes-anderson-project-86802/ |title=Untitled Wes Anderson Project |website=Backstage |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090623/https://www.backstage.com/resources/detail/productionlisting/untitled-wes-anderson-project-86802/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=December 2, 2018}} Murray and Ronan, who had small roles, recorded their scenes in two days.{{cite web|url=https://theplaylist.net/wes-anderson-christoph-waltz-french-dispatch-20190415/|title=Wes Anderson Says Christoph Waltz Has Small Role In 'The French Dispatch' & Reveals More Details Including Possible Late-2019 Release|website=The Playlist|first=Charles|last=Barfield|date=April 15, 2019|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415211508/https://theplaylist.net/wes-anderson-christoph-waltz-french-dispatch-20190415/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://collider.com/saoirse-ronan-interview-ammonite-the-french-dispatch/ |title=Saoirse Ronan on Taking Control of 'Ammonite' and Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' |date=November 16, 2020|first=Christina|last=Radish|website=Collider|access-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116182328/https://collider.com/saoirse-ronan-interview-ammonite-the-french-dispatch/ |url-status=live }}

Director of photography Robert Yeoman shot The French Dispatch on 35 mm film using Kodak Vision3 200T 5213 for the color sequences, and Eastman Double-X 5222 for the black-and-white sequences, on Arricam Studio and Lite cameras provided by a studio in Paris.{{cite web |title=DP Robert Yeoman used Kodak color and B&W 35mm filmstocks for director Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' |url=https://www.kodak.com/en/motion/blog-post/the-french-dispatch |website=Kodak |access-date=November 28, 2021 |date=October 11, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128203448/https://www.kodak.com/en/motion/blog-post/the-french-dispatch |url-status=live }} Anderson preferred classic methods for shooting the scenes. Accordingly, the crew used scaffolding and hauled equipment on ropes, rather than a Technocrane; and golf carts for transporting cameras, rather than camera cars.{{cite web |last1=Tizard |first1=Will |title=Robert Yeoman on Filming the Impossible for Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/festivals/robert-yeoman-wes-anderson-the-french-dispatch-camerimage-1235112455/ |website=Variety |access-date=November 28, 2021 |date=November 15, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128210130/https://variety.com/2021/film/festivals/robert-yeoman-wes-anderson-the-french-dispatch-camerimage-1235112455/ |url-status=live }} Most scenes were framed in 1.37:1 format (also known as Academy ratio), which Anderson used in his The Grand Budapest Hotel, and which was used for many of the French films that inspired The French Dispatch. Occasional scenes were shot in anamorphic format "mainly to make a bold dramatic statement", according to Yeoman. French New Wave films were primary sources of inspiration for Yeoman's lighting; In Cold Blood (1967, shot by Conrad Hall) was another major reference.

The animated segments were directed by Gwenn Germain, who previously worked on Anderson's Isle of Dogs.{{cite web |last1=Zahed |first1=Ramin |title=Animating with Anderson: Gwenn Germain on the Charming 2D Sequence in 'The French Dispatch' |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/animating-with-anderson-gwenn-germain-on-the-charming-2d-sequence-in-the-french-dispatch/ |website=Animation Magazine |access-date=November 28, 2021 |date=October 21, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128210131/https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/animating-with-anderson-gwenn-germain-on-the-charming-2d-sequence-in-the-french-dispatch/ |url-status=live }} As a nod to Angoulême's comic heritage, they were done entirely by local illustrators. The team comprised a maximum of 15 people, with The Adventures of Tintin and Blake and Mortimer as their main inspirations. They took about seven months to complete. The visual effects were done by the UK-based company Koala FX.{{Cite web |title=Visual Effects, Digital Make-Up & Performance Enhancement |url=https://www.koalafx.co.uk/portfolio/french-dispatch |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=Koala FX |language=en-GB |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806122407/https://www.koalafx.co.uk/portfolio/french-dispatch |url-status=live }}

Adam Stockhausen was responsible for the production design of The French Dispatch. He and his team began the scouting process using Google Maps, looking for promising locations before visiting them in person.{{cite web |last1=Wallace |first1=Rachel |title=Go Behind the Scenes of Wes Anderson's New Film, The French Dispatch |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/wes-anderson-film-the-french-dispatch |website=Architectural Digest |access-date=November 28, 2021 |date=November 3, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128195821/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/wes-anderson-film-the-french-dispatch |url-status=live }} Stockhausen and Anderson envisioned a town which "felt like Paris but not as it is today – more a sort of memory of Paris, the Paris of Jacques Tati." The team eventually settled on Angoulême.{{cite web |last1=Pennington |first1=Adrian |title=Behind the Scenes: The French Dispatch |url=https://www.ibc.org/trends/behind-the-scenes-the-french-dispatch/7694.article |website=International Broadcasting Convention |access-date=November 28, 2021 |date=June 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201145417/https://www.ibc.org/trends/behind-the-scenes-the-french-dispatch/7694.article |url-status=live }} Stockhausen estimates that over 125 sets were constructed, most of them on location around Angoulême. A former felt factory was converted into a makeshift movie studio for the crew. A real building in Angoulême was chosen as the basis for the Dispatch headquarters, enhanced with foreground sets and miniatures in order to create the symmetry typically seen in Anderson films.{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Mekado |title=When Wes Anderson Comes to Town, Buildings Get Symmetrical |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/13/movies/french-dispatch-behind-the-scenes-wes-anderson.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=November 27, 2021 |date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128004447/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/13/movies/french-dispatch-behind-the-scenes-wes-anderson.html |url-status=live }}

Rena DeAngelo was The French Dispatch{{'s}} set decorator.{{cite web |last1=Andriotis |first1=Mary Elizabeth |title=Inside the Set Design of Wes Anderson's New Film The French Dispatch |url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a38025868/wes-anderson-film-the-french-dispatch-set-design/ |website=House Beautiful |access-date=November 28, 2021 |date=October 21, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128195830/https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a38025868/wes-anderson-film-the-french-dispatch-set-design/ |url-status=live }} DeAngelo and Anderson sought inspiration from French films such as The Red Balloon, The 400 Blows, Bande à part and Vivre sa vie, and researched an extensive photo collection of Paris from the mid-1800s through the 1960s in order to "get a feeling of Paris when it was dirtier—still beautiful, but grimy." DeAngelo and her team sourced the furniture for Le Sans Blague café from various places in Paris, and the coffee cups were specially made in Limoges, a city famous for its porcelain. She also shopped once a month during filming at prop houses and flea markets in Le Mans, from which she sourced the furniture for Roebuck Wright's office. Much of the rest of the film's furniture came from a local estate liquidator in Angoulême.

Rosenthaler's abstract paintings were created by the German-New Zealand visual artist (and Tilda Swinton's partner) Sandro Kopp in a three-month-long process.{{cite web |last1=Dinsdale |first1=Emily |title=Sandro Kopp's art is the star of Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/art-photography/article/54672/1/sandro-kopp-art-is-the-star-of-wes-anderson-the-french-dispatch |website=Dazed |access-date=November 28, 2021 |date=November 3, 2021 |archive-date=November 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127233713/https://www.dazeddigital.com/art-photography/article/54672/1/sandro-kopp-art-is-the-star-of-wes-anderson-the-french-dispatch |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Rosen |first1=Miss |title=The Making of The French Dispatch, As Seen by Artist Sandro Kopp |url=https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/13679/the-making-of-the-french-dispatch-as-seen-by-artist-sandro-kopp |website=Another Magazine |access-date=November 28, 2021 |date=October 26, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128190439/https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/13679/the-making-of-the-french-dispatch-as-seen-by-artist-sandro-kopp |url-status=live }} Kopp cited the works of Frank Auerbach, Willem de Kooning, and Francis Bacon as references, while insisting that the paintings must be "idiosyncratic", and would not "look too much like the work of any living or dead painter". He relocated to the French Dispatch set in Angoulême to create the paintings, working in the on-set studio. Kopp also served as Tony Revolori's hand-double for the scenes where the young Rosenthaler is seen painting.

Catalonian-based illustrator Javi Aznarez drew from his own imagination and memories to design the covers for this movie, which were made to look like The New Yorker-style magazine covers.{{Cite web |last1=Leow |first1=Mikelle |date=October 15, 2021 |title=How French Dispatch{{'}}s Fictional New Yorker-Style Magazine Covers Were Created - DesignTAXI.com |url=https://designtaxi.com/news/416222/How-French-Dispatch-s-Fictional-New-Yorker-Style-Magazine-Covers-Were-Created/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=designtaxi.com |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529110836/https://designtaxi.com/news/416222/How-French-Dispatch-s-Fictional-New-Yorker-Style-Magazine-Covers-Were-Created/ |url-status=live }}

{{main|The French Dispatch (soundtrack)}}

For the film's musical score, Wes Anderson teamed up with his long-time collaborators Alexandre Desplat and Randall Poster. Desplat enlisted pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and drew inspiration from composers Erik Satie and Thelonious Monk to pair him in unusual duos, such as with a harp, timpani, bassoon, or tuba.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-10-22/wes-anderson-french-dispatch-music-jarvis-cocker|title=Defining 'Andersonian': Inside the music of Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch'|date=October 22, 2021|first=Mark|last=Olsen|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023005708/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-10-22/wes-anderson-french-dispatch-music-jarvis-cocker|url-status=live}} Recording took place remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/artisans/news/french-dispatch-score-alexandre-desplat-randall-poster-1235094565/|title='French Dispatch' Music: Alexandre Desplat and Randall Poster on a Soundtrack Ranging From Classical Piano to Jarvis Cocker|date=October 23, 2021|first=Jon|last=Burlingame|work=Variety|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023163605/https://variety.com/2021/artisans/news/french-dispatch-score-alexandre-desplat-randall-poster-1235094565/|url-status=live}} The film's soundtrack album was released on CD and digitally on October 22, 2021, by ABKCO Records,{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-french-dispatch-original-score/1589127565|title=The French Dispatch (Original Soundtrack) by Alexandre Desplat on Apple Music|date=May 21, 2021|publisher=Apple Music|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023204350/https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-french-dispatch-original-score/1589127565|url-status=live}}{{Cite AV media notes|title=The French Dispatch: Original Soundtrack|others=Alexandre Desplat|type=liner notes|publisher=ABKCO Records|id=018771878421}} with a vinyl release planned for early 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abkco.com/news-feed/the-french-dispatch-soundtrack-to-be-released/|title=The French Dispatch (Original Soundtrack) Featuring Oscar™ Winning Composer Alexandre Desplat To Be Released On October 22 In Conjunction With Theatrical Release|date=September 14, 2021|publisher=ABKCO Records|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005171102/https://www.abkco.com/news-feed/the-french-dispatch-soundtrack-to-be-released/|url-status=live}} The only single from the film's soundtrack album, titled "Obituary", was released on September 14, 2021.{{Cite tweet|user=french_dispatch|author=The French Dispatch|number=1437778183609257988|title=The soundtrack to the new Wes Anderson film The French Dispatch, featuring original score by Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat, is now available to pre-order. Listen to the first single "Obituary" by Alexandre Desplat now!}} The film's musical score was given a separate, earlier, release.

In September 2019, Searchlight Pictures acquired distribution rights to the film.{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/wes-anderson-french-dispatch-fox-searchlight-1202738541/ |title=Fox Searchlight Acquires World Rights To Wes Anderson's Upcoming Movie 'The French Dispatch' |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=September 19, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood |url-status=live |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217230959/https://deadline.com/2019/09/wes-anderson-french-dispatch-fox-searchlight-1202738541/ }} It was set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2020, and get a wide release on July 24, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was cancelled and the film was pulled from the schedule on April 3, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-2020-lineup-includes-wes-andersons-french-dispatch-1296386|title=Cannes 2020 Lineup Unveiled|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Scott|last=Roxborough|date=June 3, 2020|access-date=June 3, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603202546/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-2020-lineup-includes-wes-andersons-french-dispatch-1296386|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch-gets-july-2020-release/|title=Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' Gets July 2020 Release|website=TheWrap|first=Brian|last=Welk|date=January 29, 2020|access-date=January 29, 2020|archive-date=January 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129195042/https://www.thewrap.com/wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch-gets-july-2020-release/|url-status=live}} The film was rescheduled for release on October 16, 2020, before being pulled from the schedule again on July 23, 2020.{{cite web|last=Welk|first=Brian|date=April 3, 2020|title='Black Widow' Moves to November as Other MCU Films Shift Back to 2021, 2022|url=https://www.thewrap.com/black-widow-moves-to-november-as-other-mcu-films-shift-back-to-2021-2022/|access-date=April 3, 2020|website=TheWrap|archive-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403185146/http://www.thewrap.com/black-widow-moves-to-november-as-other-mcu-films-shift-back-to-2021-2022/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/mulan-avatar-star-wars-release-date-changes-disney-coroanvirus-1202993719/|title='Mulan' Off The Calendar; Disney Also Delays 'Avatar' & 'Star Wars' Movies by One Year as Studio Adjusts to Pandemic|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=July 23, 2020|archive-date=December 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216130534/https://deadline.com/2020/07/mulan-avatar-star-wars-release-date-changes-disney-coroanvirus-1202993719/|url-status=live}}

The French Dispatch had its world premiere at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/2021/film/global/wes-anderson-french-dispatch-cannes-film-festival-1234980843/|title='The French Dispatch' to World Premiere at Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)|website=Variety|first=Elsa|last=Keslassy|date=May 26, 2021|access-date=May 26, 2021|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526170446/https://variety.com/2021/film/global/wes-anderson-french-dispatch-cannes-film-festival-1234980843/|url-status=live}} It was screened at film festivals in Busan,{{Cite news|url= https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/109/0004482917|title= '프렌치 디스패치', 11일 BIFF 첫 공개…초고속 매진 기록[공식]|trans-title= 'French Dispatch' premieres at BIFF on the 11th... Super-fast sold out record [Official]|author= Kim Bo-ra|work= Osen|publisher= Naver|date= September 30, 2021|access-date= September 30, 2021|language= ko|archive-date= September 30, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210930085716/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/109/0004482917|url-status= live}} the Hamptons,{{Cite web|last=Rubin|first=Rebecca|date=2021-09-01|title='Mothering Sunday' Sets U.S. Premiere at Hamptons International Film Festival|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/mothering-sunday-hamptons-international-film-festival-1235053632/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-12|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912032720/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/mothering-sunday-hamptons-international-film-festival-1235053632/}} London,{{Cite web|last=Ritman|first=Alex|date=2021-09-07|title=London Film Festival: 'Last Night in Soho,' 'French Dispatch,' 'Succession' Added as Full Lineup Unveiled|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/london-film-festival-lineup-french-dispatch-succession-spencer-1235009168/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-12|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912032720/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/london-film-festival-lineup-french-dispatch-succession-spencer-1235009168/}} Mill Valley,{{Cite web|first=G. Allen|last=Johnson|date=September 9, 2021|title=Mill Valley Film Festival returns with Kenneth Branagh among big names and major emphasis on safety|url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/movies-tv/mill-valley-film-festival-returns-with-kenneth-branagh-among-big-names-and-major-emphasis-on-safety|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-12|website=The San Francisco Chronicle|language=en-US|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912032935/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/movies-tv/mill-valley-film-festival-returns-with-kenneth-branagh-among-big-names-and-major-emphasis-on-safety}} Montclair,{{Cite web|last=George|first=Liz|date=2021-09-17|title=Montclair Film Festival To Open with Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch|url=https://baristanet.com/2021/09/montclair-film-festival-to-open-with-wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch/|access-date=2021-09-18|website=Baristanet|language=en-US|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917211419/https://baristanet.com/2021/09/montclair-film-festival-to-open-with-wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch/|url-status=live}} New York City,{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dune-french-dispatch-2021-ny-film-festival-spotlight-1234999967/|title=NY Film Festival Adds 'Dune,' 'French Dispatch' to Lineup|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Hilary|last=Lewis|date=August 19, 2021|access-date=August 19, 2021|archive-date=August 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819173941/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dune-french-dispatch-2021-ny-film-festival-spotlight-1234999967/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=The French Dispatch|url=https://www.filmlinc.org/nyff2021/films/the-french-dispatch/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=New York Film Festival|archive-date=August 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820211041/https://www.filmlinc.org/nyff2021/films/the-french-dispatch/|url-status=live}} Twin Cities,{{Cite web|author=|date=2021-10-09|title=TCFF ANNOUNCES A ROBUST LINEUP OF FILMS!|url=https://twincitiesfilmfest.org/2021-twin-cities-film-fest-announces-a-robust-lineup-of-films|access-date=2021-10-09|website=TCFF|language=en|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009165432/https://twincitiesfilmfest.org/2021-twin-cities-film-fest-announces-a-robust-lineup-of-films/|url-status=live}} Philadelphia,{{Cite web|author=|date=2021-10-07|title=30th Philadelphia Film Festival {{!}} Full line-up of movies|url=https://6abc.com/11089299/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=6abc Philadelphia|language=en|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009004845/https://6abc.com/11089299/|url-status=live}} Wrocław,{{Cite web|date=2021-10-14|title="The French Dispatch" oraz "C'mon C'mon" otworzą 12. American Film Festival {{!}} Poinformowani.pl|url=https://kultura.poinformowani.pl/artykul/41448-the-french-dispatch-oraz-c-mon-c-mon-otworza-12-american-film-festival|access-date=2021-11-10|website=kultura.poinformowani.pl|language=pl|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110213629/https://kultura.poinformowani.pl/artykul/41448-the-french-dispatch-oraz-c-mon-c-mon-otworza-12-american-film-festival|url-status=live}} San Diego,{{Cite web|title=The French Dispatch|url=https://sdfilmfest.com/team-member/thefrenchdispatch/|access-date=2021-09-17|website=San Diego International Film Festival|language=en-US|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917233227/https://sdfilmfest.com/team-member/thefrenchdispatch/|url-status=live}} and Zürich.{{Cite web|last=Yossman|first=K. J.|date=2021-09-09|title=Zurich Film Festival Reveals Line-Up: 'Spencer,' 'The Last Duel,' 'French Dispatch' to Join 'No Time to Die'|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/zurich-film-festival-line-up-1235059723/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-12|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912032720/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/zurich-film-festival-line-up-1235059723/}} There was a surprise screening at the Telluride Film Festival.{{Cite magazine|first=Rebecca|last=Ford|date=September 10, 2021|title=From 'Westworld' to Wes's World: Jeffrey Wright on 'The French Dispatch'|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/09/awards-insider-jeffrey-wright-on-the-french-dispatch-interview|access-date=September 12, 2021|magazine=Vanity Fair|language=en-US|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912075947/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/09/awards-insider-jeffrey-wright-on-the-french-dispatch-interview|url-status=live}} The film was released in limited theaters on October 22, 2021, and received a wide release on October 29, 2021.

The French Dispatch was released digitally on December 14, 2021, followed by a Blu-ray and DVD release on December 28, by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.{{Cite web|first=Shane|last=Romanchick|url=https://collider.com/the-french-dispatch-blu-ray-release-date-details/|title='The French Dispatch' Gets Blu-ray Release Date|website=Collider|date=November 10, 2021|access-date=December 4, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207042752/https://collider.com/the-french-dispatch-blu-ray-release-date-details/|url-status=live}} It was released on Blu-ray in the UK as an HMV exclusive on 3 April 2023.{{cite web | url=https://hmv.com/store/film-tv/blu-ray/the-french-dispatch-(hmv-exclusive) | title=The French Dispatch (HMV Exclusive) Blu-ray | Wes Anderson, Timothee Chalamet Film | Free Delivery on Orders over £20 | access-date=March 17, 2023 | archive-date=March 17, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317134346/https://hmv.com/store/film-tv/blu-ray/the-french-dispatch-(hmv-exclusive) | url-status=live }} It will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray by Criterion on September 30, 2025, as part of the ten film collection The Wes Anderson Archive: Ten Films, Twenty-Five Years and as a standalone disc.{{Cite web |last=Zavaleta |first=Jonathan |date=2025-06-02 |title=The $500 Wes Anderson Criterion Box Set Is Cinephile Catnip |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/wes-anderson-criterion-box-set-where-to-buy-1235352817/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}

To promote the film, pop-up exhibitions with recreations of sets from the film emerged in Los Angeles, New York, and London for a limited time around the film's release date.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-25|title=Take a look inside the pop-up Wes Anderson experiences for 'The French Dispatch'|url=https://www.newsweek.com/french-dispatch-pop-wes-anderson-experiences-cafe-1642233|access-date=2022-01-07|website=Newsweek|language=en|archive-date=January 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107003736/https://www.newsweek.com/french-dispatch-pop-wes-anderson-experiences-cafe-1642233|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=The French Dispatch Exhibition {{!}} Best Exhibitions|url=https://londontheinside.com/location/the-french-dispatch/|access-date=2022-01-07|website=London On The Inside|date=September 29, 2021 |language=en-GB|archive-date=January 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107003732/https://londontheinside.com/location/the-french-dispatch/|url-status=live}} The London pop-up sported the storefront of the Le Sans Blague café's storefront, and housed several props from the film, including costumes, and Rosenthaler's mural.

The French Dispatch grossed $16.1{{nbsp}}million in the United States and Canada, and $30.2{{nbsp}}million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $46.3{{nbsp}}million.

In its limited opening weekend, the film grossed $1.3 million from 52 theaters, for a per-venue average of $25,000, which was the best per-venue performance for a theatrically-released film up to that point of the COVID-19 pandemic;{{cite web|author=Anthony D'Alessandro|date=October 24, 2021|title='Dune' Domestic Opening Is Best For Warner Bros HBO Max Day/Date Title & Denis Villeneuve|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/dune-weekend-box-office-1234860683/|url-status=live|access-date=October 24, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024022240/https://deadline.com/2021/10/dune-weekend-box-office-1234860683/}} the following month, Licorice Pizza had a per-venue average of $86,289 in 4 theaters.{{cite web|title=Licorice Pizza - Box Office|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2233172737/weekend/|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=December 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226190250/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2233172737/weekend/|url-status=live}} The film expanded to 788 theaters the following weekend, and grossed $2.75 million.{{cite web|author=Anthony D'Alessandro|date=October 31, 2021|title=Halloween Scares Off Box Office: 'Dune' $15M+; 'My Hero Academia' $6M+, 'Last Night In Soho' & 'Antlers' Tie $4M|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/dune-last-night-in-soho-my-hero-academia-halloween-weekend-box-office-1234864873/|url-status=live|access-date=October 31, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030172159/https://deadline.com/2021/10/dune-last-night-in-soho-my-hero-academia-halloween-weekend-box-office-1234864873/}}{{cite web|author1=J. Kim Murphy |author2=Ellise Shafer |date=October 30, 2021|title=Box Office: 'Dune' Dominates 'Last Night in Soho,' 'Antlers' in Second Weekend|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/dune-box-office-last-night-in-soho-antlers-1235100251/|url-status=live|access-date=October 30, 2021|website=Variety|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030160910/https://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/dune-box-office-last-night-in-soho-antlers-1235100251/amp/}} It continued to expand in its third weekend, making $2.6 million from 1,205 theaters.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=November 7, 2021 |title='Eternals' Seeing Possible $70M+ Opening Weekend: Why This Is A Wake-Up Call For The MCU; 'Red Notice' Box Office Unreported |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/eternals-opening-weekend-box-office-1234868870/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125120944/https://deadline.com/2021/11/eternals-opening-weekend-box-office-1234868870/amp/ |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |access-date=November 7, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood }}

{{RT prose|75||319|A loving ode to the spirit of journalism, The French Dispatch will be most enjoyed by fans of Wes Anderson's meticulously arranged aesthetic.|ref=y|access-date=May 20, 2025}} {{MC film|74|57|ref=y|access-date=May 20, 2025}}

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film's "hand-crafted visual delights and eccentric performances", and wrote: "While The French Dispatch might seem like an anthology of vignettes without a strong overarching theme, every moment is graced by Anderson's love for the written word and the oddball characters who dedicate their professional lives to it".{{cite web |last1=Rooney |first1=David |title=Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch': Film Review {{!}} Cannes 2021 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-french-dispatch-cannes-2021-1234977451/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=July 12, 2021 |date=July 12, 2021 |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713003559/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-french-dispatch-cannes-2021-1234977451/ |url-status=live }} Writing for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw said: "It might not be at the very zenith of what he can achieve but for sheer moment-by-moment pleasure, and for laughs, this is a treat".{{cite web |last1=Bradshaw |first1=Peter |title=The French Dispatch: Wes Anderson's ode to newspapers is a periodic delight |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jul/12/the-french-dispatch-review-wes-anderson-bill-murray-new-yorker-magazine |website=The Guardian |access-date=July 12, 2021 |language=en |date=July 12, 2021 |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712172833/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jul/12/the-french-dispatch-review-wes-anderson-bill-murray-new-yorker-magazine |url-status=live }}

The French Dispatch was included in lists of the best films of the year from The New Yorker (#1),{{Cite magazine|date=2021-12-02|title=The Best Movies of 2021|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/2021-in-review/the-best-movies-of-2021|access-date=2021-12-30|magazine=The New Yorker|language=en-US}} The Forward (the best movie),{{Cite web|last1=Goldman|first1=A. J.|title=Eternally fascinated with Jewish culture, Wes Anderson delivers the best film of the year|url=https://forward.com/culture/472992/eternally-fascinated-with-jewish-culture-wes-anderson-best-film-french/|access-date=2021-12-30|website=The Forward|date=October 28, 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=December 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230101245/https://forward.com/culture/472992/eternally-fascinated-with-jewish-culture-wes-anderson-best-film-french/|url-status=live}} Cahiers du Cinéma (#6){{Cite web |title=Top 10 2021 de la rédaction des Cahiers du cinéma |url=https://twitter.com/cahierscinema/status/1465213184638394369 |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=Twitter |language=en}} IndieWire (#6),{{Cite web|last=Lattanzio|first=Ryan|date=2021-12-17|title=The 50 Best Movies of 2021, According to 187 Film Critics|url=https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/50-best-movies-2021-critics-poll/|access-date=2021-12-30|website=IndieWire|language=en|archive-date=April 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405112047/https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/50-best-movies-2021-critics-poll/|url-status=live}} Esquire (#38),{{Cite web|last=Schager|first=Nick|date=2021-12-16|title=The Best Movies of 2021|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/g34589333/best-movies-of-2021/|access-date=2021-12-30|website=Esquire|language=en-US|archive-date=December 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226081205/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/g34589333/best-movies-of-2021/|url-status=live}} New Musical Express (#11),{{Cite web|date=2021-12-09|title=The 20 best films of 2021|url=https://www.nme.com/features/film-features/nme-best-films-of-the-year-2021-3114424|access-date=2021-12-30|website=NME|language=en-GB|archive-date=December 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226111920/https://www.nme.com/features/film-features/nme-best-films-of-the-year-2021-3114424|url-status=live}} British Film Institute (#23){{Cite web|title=The 50 best films of 2021|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/polls/50-best-films-2021|url-status=live|website=British Film Institute|date=December 3, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021|archive-date=December 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226180731/https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/polls/50-best-films-2021}} and Vogue (unlisted).{{Cite web|date=2021-10-21|title=The Best Movies of 2021, According to Vogue Editors|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/best-movies-of-2021-according-to-vogue-editors|access-date=2021-12-30|website=Vogue|language=en-US|archive-date=December 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224181557/https://www.vogue.com/article/best-movies-of-2021-according-to-vogue-editors|url-status=live}}

• Chansons d'Ennui Tip-Top, companion album to the film's soundtrack by Jarvis Cocker

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/The-French-Dispatch-Read-The-Screenplay.pdf Official screenplay]
• {{IMDb title|8847712}}

{{Wes Anderson}}

{{Indian Paintbrush}}

{{Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:French Dispatch, The}}

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