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Wes Anderson's Wife All about Juman Malouf and Their Relationship

From "The Grand Budapest Hotel" to "Moonrise Kingdom," most movie buffs are familiar with this Wes Anderson's signature whimsical style. But his wife, Juman Malouf, is a work of art herself.

If anything touches on the essence of Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf's decade-long relationship, it's the name they chose for their daughter. Their child, born in 2016 and called Freya, was named after the protagonist in the revered 1940s film "The Mortal Storm."

When Malouf was only a few months old, her family made their way to Saudi Arabia from Lebanon, where she was born. The move was made to escape the civil war in their home country. Malouf and her family ended up living in a diverse community of people from all around the globe.

Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf at the private opening of Il Sarcofago di Spitzmaus e altri tesori exhibition on September 18, 2019 in Milan | Source: Getty Images

Growing up in Saudi Arabia developed Malouf's interest in people who do not fit in, as she came across many different stories and cultures while living there. However, her family had to move again because of the political state in the country, landing in London as their next destination.

Malouf became fascinated with the artistic side of the city. As she would go shopping with her mom, she started to learn about high fashion and names such as Versace and Romeo Gigli. Her love for fashion grew, and she began to develop her aesthetic.

As she grew older, Malouf threw herself into her studies at Brown University in the U.S., where she got her bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and Art History. She then attended Tisch School of Arts, where she completed her master's in set and costume design.

Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf at the 14th Rome Film Festival on October 19, 2019 in Rome | Source: Getty Images

WES ANDERSON AND HIS WIFE WORK TOGETHER

The artist lives a private life in Paris with her husband. They have collaborated on many of his films, including "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and the Roald Dahl adaptation and animation, "The Fantastic Mr. Fox."

Sadly, he did not appear in more quirky films; Cassel died in 2019 due to complications related to Alzheimer's.

For "The Grand Budapest Hotel," Anderson's wife drew character sketches of the cast, which were hung around the cast and crew's hotel to create a singular mood among everyone.

Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf on the street during Paris Fashion Week on October 1, 2018 in Paris | Source: Getty Images

The sketches were also used in the illustrated screenplay for the film. For "Fantastic Mr. Fox," Malouf had a minor role. She has also worked on "Moonrise Kingdom." The artist designed the covers for the cherished books owned by the lead female protagonist Suzy Bishop.

"Moonrise Kingdom" was dedicated to Malouf, including a concealed nod to her Lebanese background. At Camp Ivanhoe, there is a sign that reads "Fort Lebanon." The former fashion designer did the costume and set for the film as well as "The Budapest Hotel."

Wes Anderson, Juman Malouf, and Anna Wintour at Prada Fall/Winter 2018 Womenswear Fashion Show on February 22, 2018 in Milan | Source: Getty Images

WES ANDERSON'S WIFE JUMAN MALOUF'S DEBUT NOVEL

The Brown graduate's first book was an illustrated kids' novel titled "The Trilogy of Two." According to the author, the book was inspired by the likes of August Sander and Charlotte Brontë and has a Dickensian vibe. The story follows two identical twins and orphans, Charlotte and Sonja, growing up in a traveling circus.

Their role in the carnival is to play music, which the twins discover has magical properties whenever they play. They decide to learn more about the origins of these strange powers.

Considering her upbringing and the lost nature of the children in her book, Malouf's statement, "It's quite powerful to be from nowhere," hits home.

Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf at the opening of their joint exhibition "Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures" in Vienna, Austria on November 5, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

WES ANDERSON AND JUMAN MALOUF'S ART EXHIBITION

Another creative endeavor that Malouf has taken with her husband was in Vienna in June 2017. It was a curated art exhibition held at Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum and called "Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures."

The exhibition consisted of a showcase arranged by the two artists that boasted over 400 articles from the museum's many collections. While the two have a similar sense of taste, the collaboration and assembling of the showcase was more challenging than they expected.

The items included Old Master Paintings, Imperial Treasury, Coin Collections, and many antiquities from Rome, Greece, and Egypt. The show was a success.

Like many directors, Anderson has worked with a number of talented individuals like Edward Norton, Jeff Goldblum, Billy Murray, Owen Wilson, and the late Seymour Cassel.

Wes Anderson and Seymour Cassel at the afterparty for the AFI FEST 2009 premiere of "Fantastic Mr. Fox" on October 30, 2009 in Los Angeles | Source: Getty Images

Cassel was in many of Anderson's films, including "Rushmore," "The Royal Tenenbaums," and "The Life of Aquatic With Steve Zissou." Sadly, he did not appear in more quirky films; Cassel died in 2019 due to complications related to Alzheimer's.

Cassel also worked with director John Cassavetes, and received an Oscar nomination in the late 1960s for his role in "Faces." The last film by the actor was "Time Framed," where he played a character called Boris Esla.

Cassel is survived by his daughters, Lisa and Dilyn, son Matt, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Instead of flowers, the family asked fans to donate to The Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

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Carisa Kissane

Update: 2024-05-20