Acclaimed filmmaker David Michôd, the creative force behind the upcoming boxing biopic Christy, has exclusively revealed his three all-time favourite films to Reach titles, describing one as an 'unbelievably overlooked masterpiece'.
From Boxing Ring to Silver Screen
Michôd's new project, Christy, features Sydney Sweeney portraying the pioneering and divisive boxer Christy Martin. The film chronicles Martin's extraordinary true story as she emerged from West Virginia to become one of boxing's most significant personalities.
'More than anything I loved the idea of making a movie about a woman with a really ferocious personality,' Michôd explained. 'I just immediately got a sense that there was something about her that is very charismatic that I really liked, then met her and liked her even more - how beautifully vulnerable and kind and funny she is.'
The director, best known for Animal Kingdom, brings this compelling story to UK and Irish cinemas on November 28 following its domestic box office debut.
Michôd's Cinematic Inspirations
When discussing his cinematic influences, Michôd didn't hesitate to name his top three films, beginning with the war epic that made him want to become a filmmaker.
Apocalypse Now: The Life-Changing Epic
Apocalypse Now, the 1979 psychological war drama loosely based on Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, holds the top position in Michôd's personal ranking.
'My favourite movie is Apocalypse Now,' he stated emphatically. 'That movie made me want to make movies. I already loved movies but it was Apocalypse Now that made me want to make them. There was something about the giant, crazy adventure of that film.'
The film follows Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) on his mission to eliminate rogue Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando). Michôd expressed amazement that the film 'wasn't universally well-reviewed when it was released, which seems insane to me.'
The Overlooked Western Masterpiece
Michôd reserved special praise for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, the 2007 western starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck.
He simply described it as: 'unbelievably overlooked masterpiece.'
The film explores the complex relationship between outlaw Jesse James and his eventual killer Robert Ford, based on Ron Hansen's 1983 novel of the same name.
The Raw and Visceral Thriller
Completing his trio of favourites is Martin Scorsese's 1976 psychological thriller Taxi Driver, starring Robert De Niro as mentally deteriorating Vietnam veteran Travis Bickle.
'Taxi Driver is right up there for me, just so raw and visceral,' Michôd commented. 'A movie about a character who does monstrous things, but whose vulnerability and brokenness are so right there on the surface.'
He revealed how this film influenced his approach to character development in his own work, particularly when writing Animal Kingdom. 'I remember when I was writing Animal Kingdom, I showed the script to people, and some of those people would say 'Your central character isn't likeable enough'. And I'd go 'Have you seen Taxi Driver? That guy is kind of grotesque but you can feel him and that's all you need to be able to do.''
Legacy and Upcoming Release
Michôd's film selections reveal his appreciation for complex, character-driven stories that explore the darker aspects of human nature - a theme that clearly resonates with his own filmmaking approach in both Animal Kingdom and the upcoming Christy.
Audiences can experience Michôd's latest character study when Christy arrives in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on November 28, bringing the powerful true story of boxing pioneer Christy Martin to the big screen.
