Directors and Their Favorite Films

The role of a film director is of utmost importance. They are responsible for the vision that brings a script to life. Actors and cameras are at their command. Many dedicate their life to the art of filmmaking. Often, when we talk about directors it’s usually in regard to their own work, but today I thought it would be interesting to take a look at what some of their personal favourite films are. It was hard to narrow down this list, as there are many talented and notable directors who all have multiple favourite films. It’s also worth noting that each selected film is not necessarily the director’s all time favourite film, but one they have frequently cited as a favourite. Without further ado, here are some of the favourite films of ten popular, yet very different directors working today!

**Martin Scorsese - The Red Shoes (1948)**

If you’re a fan of Scorsese you might be aware of his love for The Red Shoes (written and directed by British filmmaking duo Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger). Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s dark fairytale of the same name, The Red Shoes follows aspiring dancer Victoria Page (played by Moira Shearer) who stars in a new successful ballet ‘The Ballet of the Red Shoes’ and falls in love with the show’s young composer. Eventually, Victoria becomes torn between love and her dedication to dancing. Through Victoria’s predicament, the film explores how art can consume an artist’s life and, according to Scorsese, no film captures that notion better than The Red Shoes. It’s an absolutely gorgeous Technicolor film featuring hypnotizing dance sequences. Scorsese claims he revisits The Red Shoes at least once every year.

Some of his other favourites: Fellini’s 8½ and Polish director Andrzej Wajda’s Ashes and Diamonds.

**Greta Gerwig - Singin’ in the Rain (1952)**

According to Greta Gerwig, the iconic movie musical Singin’ in the Rain is her most watched film and inspired her to make movies. Singin’ in the Rain revolves around a group of actors and performers trying to make a movie, as Hollywood makes the transition from silent pictures to “talkies”. Celebrated for its catchy tunes and energetic dance numbers (choreographed by Gene Kelly - who Gerwig is a big fan of), the movie has earned its place as a timeless classic. For many fans of Gerwig her films radiate comfort, and the lighthearted nature of Singin’ in the Rain is no different for those who love it, Gerwig included.

Some of her other favourites: Howard Hawks’ western Rio Bravo and Chantal Akerman’s Jeanne Dielman.

**Bong Joon-Ho - Cure (1997)**

Bong Joon-ho listed this Japanese horror film as one of the greatest of all time and recognised it as having a profound impact on his own work. Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Cure is a film about a detective investigating a number of grizzly murders where each victim is found with an X carved in their neck and each respective murderer has no recollection of the crime. The film was critically acclaimed internationally, praised for its spine chilling atmosphere and dreary philosophical commentary. If you’re a fan of horror, you should listen to Bong Joon-ho and add this to your watchlist immediately.

Some of his other favourites: The Coen brothers’ black comedy Fargo and David Fincher’s Zodiac.

**Christopher Nolan - 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)**

For many people, the films one watches as a young child often have the biggest impact. Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey was that film for Christopher Nolan. Known for large scale films exploring metaphysical themes (like Inception and Interstellar), the influence of 2001 on Nolan’s own work is quite noticeable. Often regarded as Kubrick’s magnum opus, 2001: A Space Odyssey revolves around a space mission to Jupiter in a spacecraft controlled by an A.I. computer called HAL. The film is hailed for its groundbreaking use of special effects, scientific accuracy, and quiet tension, truly setting the tone for all sci-fi films that came after it.

Some of his other favourites: Lewis Milestone’s All Quiet on the Western Front and George Lucas’ Star Wars.

**Taika Waititi - The Graduate (1967)**

When asked about his favourite films in an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Taika Waititi said that Mike Nichols’ comedy-drama The Graduate is always one he has on his list. Starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft as the seductive Mrs. Robinson, The Graduate follows Benjamin who, fresh out of college, gets caught up in an affair with an older woman and falls for her daughter in the process. Known for its awkward humour and Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack, The Graduate depicts a post-college life crisis and boasts a sort of youthful energy, that to Waititi and other fans gives the film that timeless quality.

Some of his other favourites: Tarkovsky’s Stalker and Terrence Malick’s Badlands.

**Quentin Tarantino - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)**

Tarantino’s love of movies is pretty well known and he’s listed many favourites over the years, but he usually names Sergio Leone’s epic Italian spaghetti western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly as his all time favourite film. Elements of the spaghetti western genre are scattered throughout much of Tarantino’s filmography and many of his films include homages to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The film itself is set in the midst of the American Civil War and follows a trio of men (a bandit, bounty hunter, and a mercenary) in search of buried treasure. The film’s legacy can be seen not only within the western genre and in Tarantino’s films, but throughout pop culture.

Some of his other favourites: Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused and Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now.

**David Lynch - Sunset Boulevard (1950)**

The dreamlike and surreal nature of David Lynch’s work is so iconic that the term Lynchian is now often loosely used to describe anything evoking a similar mood. So, when it comes to Billy Wilder’s classic Sunset Boulevard, the dreamy, mystifying quality of it might be a good guess as to why it’s a favourite of his. The film follows an aspiring screenwriter who gets caught up in the deluded fantasy of former silent film star Norma Desmond (played by Gloria Swanson), who dreams of making her acting comeback. Regarded as one of the best films ever made, Sunset Boulevard is revered for its depiction of Hollywood in its golden age, the haunting atmosphere, and Swanson’s stunning performance. Lynch cites the film as one of his biggest inspirations and even screened it for his crew before shooting his 1977 film Eraserhead.

Some of his other favourites: Fellini’s 8½ and Hitchcock’s Rear Window.

**Jordan Peele - The Shining (1980)**

When we talk about modern day horror, Jordan Peele is always a part of that conversation, so it’s not really surprising that Stanley Kubrick’s take on Stephen King’s The Shining is one of his favourite films, as it is one of the most classic horror films ever made. The Shining revolves around aspiring writer Jack Torrance (played by Jack Nicholson), who moves with his family into the Overlook Hotel, where he slowly descends into madness as the past horrors of the hotel are revealed. The film is an eerily ambiguous yet thrilling adaptation and is also heavily referenced throughout Peele’s 2017 film Get Out.

Some of his other favourites: Rob Reiner’s Misery and Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook.

**Sofia Coppola - Sixteen Candles (1984)**

Sofia Coppola has expressed her admiration for films that focus on teenagers and has explored adolescence in much of her own work. There are so many classic teen films, but John Hughes’ directorial debut Sixteen Candles was one of Coppola’s favourites growing up. Sixteen Candles follows Sam (played by Molly Ringwald) who experiences a not so sweet sixteen when her family forgets the occasion and her crush on high school heartthrob Jake is revealed. While the film relies on stereotypes and feels somewhat outdated now, its claim to being considered a classic stems from its nostalgic 80s aesthetic and a memorable performance by Ringwald. It’s a film that Coppola says she still watches whenever it happens to be on.

Some of her other favourites: Her father Francis Ford Coppola’s Rumble Fish and Kubrick’s Lolita.

**Wes Anderson - Trouble in Paradise (1932)**

Known for his distinctive and quirky candy coloured pictures, it seems fitting that Wes Anderson described one of his favourite films, Trouble in Paradise, as a “confection”. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, Trouble in Paradise is a romantic comedy about two glamorous thieves in love, who together plan to rob a wealthy perfume executive - a scheme that eventually leads into a love triangle between the three. Praised for its playful and witty dialogue and charming performances, the film is highly regarded among many film critics. Anderson also cited the film as an inspiration for his 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Some of his other favorites: Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby and Max Ophüls’ The Earrings of Madame de...