It’s undeniable that film is something everyone consumes and enjoys to a certain extent, whether it’s casually or on a more fanatical level. I consider myself someone who falls into that latter group, having become increasingly fascinated by film as an art form and outlet for expression. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when I became interested in films as more than something to simply passively enjoy, but there are most definitely pivotal moments in my adolescence which catalysed my film obsession to the point it’s at now. Along the way, several films have stood out due to the way they affected, changed or moved me at certain points in my life, or simply signified an important change for me on a personal level.
Lost In Translation (2003)
Dir. Sofia Coppola
To this day, Lost In Translation is my all time favourite film and describing it as having changed my life would be a monumental understatement. A tale of two lost souls who meet by chance during a visit to Tokyo, it was impossible not to see myself reflected in Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson’s nuanced and inspiring performances as tired actor, Bob Harris, and Charlotte, the neglected wife of a travelling photographer. The brilliance of this film lies within its subtleties; its breathtaking cinematography, it’s minimal yet expertly crafted dialogue, and most importantly the emotion and authenticity displayed by the two characters. For me, Lost In Translation is the best film I’ve ever seen about loneliness, depression and lack of direction, and I manage to fall in love with it in new ways during every viewing. It’s both beautiful and heartbreaking, a reminder that there’s always someone out there to connect with, even if those people are few and far between.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Dir. Stanley Kubrick
I could probably pinpoint any Kubrick film and talk about its significance, but 2001: A Space Odyssey really stands out in my mind on a personal level. It isn’t even my favourite Kubrick film (A Clockwork Orange holds that title), but it sparked what was essentially a new chapter in my life. Not only did 2001 pioneer and set the benchmark for the sci-fi genre, which I find hugely impressive, but it also signifies the point at which I first became part of a film community. It was one of the first films I watched after joining my university’s film society last year, a place in which I met people with a variety of different opinions on film; people who were as passionate about it as me and were just as excited to talk about it as I was. 2001 is enigmatic and wonderful and for the most part feels like a psychedelic trip, so it definitely made an interesting talking point and acted as a gateway for new friendships and unmissable opportunities, helping shape my university experience so far and elevate my love of film even more.
American Beauty (1999)
Dir. Sam Mendes
The ’90s/early ’00s was a great time for films about unmasking the hollowness and dysfunctional interior of American suburbia, with films like The Truman Show, Mulholland Drive and Magnolia exposing the dark secrets which lie beneath the surface of societies and individual lives. My favourite of this era is Sam Mendes’ American Beauty, with its David Lynch-ian vibe providing a commentary on the concepts such as the ‘American Dream’, the meaning of life, materialism, beauty and repression. This is one of the films that sparked my interest in filmmaking itself, with so many themes and motifs to be interpreted and deciphered. I feel like this film really spoke to a generation and is still applicable today, which is why it remains one of my favourites and almost like a time capsule of a past era.
Her
Dir. Spike Jonze
Linked by fans in many ways to Lost In Translation due to directors Sofia Coppola and Spike Jonze’s marriage, Her is another exquisite film about love, loss and loneliness which became one of my instant favourites. Just like Lost In Translation, it boasts stunning and futuristic sets and is one of the most unconventional premises for a love story I’ve ever seen. It’s a film I always gravitate towards when I need hope or inspiration or comfort, and I always manage to find something of myself in its characters. If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching Her then do yourself a favour and watch it at the next opportunity you get. It’s a truly wonderful film and one of the most important of my latter teenage years, which I will undoubtedly continue to revisit again and again.
Fight Club
Dir. David Fincher
Fight Club seems to be one of those films that is constantly referenced by film lovers as their favourite. Fight Club isn’t my favourite film, but like American Beauty, it’s one of the most influential films I’ve seen in terms of sparking my interest in filmmaking itself, rather than simply watching films. I watched it for the very first time with a friend, a few years ago, after telling him I wanted to watch as many films as I could and educate myself on the countless classics/cult favourites that I hadn’t seen. I didn’t see the appeal on my first viewing, but after my second viewing I was hooked. Dark, visceral and anarchic, Fight Club is the cornerstone of anti-establishment cinema, full of unconventional directorial techniques which have even inspired a short film I am currently collaborating on myself. I guess you could say Fight Club was my gateway into being a film fan, and also helped cement some of the best friendships in my life!
Honourable mentions: Chungking Express (1994), The Red Shoes (1948), Blue Is The Warmest Colour (2013), A Clockwork Orange (1971), The Graduate (1967), Under The Skin (2014), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), The Shining (1980), Mulholland Drive (2001), Black Swan (2010), True Romance (1993), Taxi Driver (1976), Donnie Darko (2001)