2. “Paris, Texas” by Wim Wenders The first time I watched “Paris, Texas” was the first time I was emotional about a movie. It just hurts from vulnerability. I haven’t seen many slow-burn movies, so I didn’t expect it to be as heartbreaking as it was. It doesn’t explain itself too much. You follow Travis [Harry Dean Stanton], and you slowly peel back the layers. Every time I look at it I forget where I am.
3. Avocado Rolls I became a vegetarian and every time people asked me what my favorite food was, I was so indecisive that I couldn’t answer them. So I’d say, “Oh, I love avocados.” And people would say, “But that’s not a meal.” Well, I love sushi and I love avocados, and now it’s my go-to. You know how kids always go with chicken tenders and fries? Those are my chicken tenders and fries.
4. My Sony Headphones I just got them. They are noise canceling. The sound is great. I never have to talk to people when they are on because they are big and bulky. I have been called “perpetual headphone head” by several people because I always have them around my neck. I couldn’t imagine walking through life all day without some kind of background music. Even just feeling the weight of the headphones on my chest gives me a kind of relief.
5. “La Haine” by Mathieu Kassovitz If I were ever going to direct anything, it would have to be about the same. You feel like you know the characters. It radiates life. They are three boys in Paris who talk about police brutality and the struggles they go through in their days. What strikes me about this film is that it will always be relevant. That’s a bit of a shame, but I think there’s something meaningful about that because of the amount of energy it has.
6. “OK Computer” by Radiohead I was shooting a movie called “X” in New Zealand, and I became very, very good friends with Jim, one of the PAs [production assistants] on set, who was a huge Radiohead fan. Jim had mentioned that his favorite album was ‘OK Computer’, and he explained to me the impact it had on him growing up. And it became just about all I listened to. I was out of the country alone for the first time. I had just turned 18, so I had that newfound independence. You slowly grow up and the world gets scarier, to be so far from home and learn to do things alone. So I think because I’m so nostalgic for that time in my life, that album will hold immense significance forever.
7. Driving I couldn’t sleep because of the time difference between Eastern Europe and the west coast of the US. So every night I went out and drove, and I realized that’s probably when I’m happiest. I don’t talk to anyone. I’m focused. I can roll down the window and taste outside. It’s a freedom I wish I could always experience. That is also something else: you capture some amazing views. You become very observant because there is nothing else to do, especially if you have nowhere to go.
