Interpol’s Paul Banks names his five favourite movies
An all-talented musician, singer, songwriter, and DJ, Paul Banks, the English-American vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Interpol, is known as one of the industry’s most consistent talents. Inspired to enter the music world thanks to his obsession with Nirvana, Banks has gone on to enjoy success with solo material, as well as with the band Muzz and Banks & Steelz, a duo formed by himself and the rapper RZA.
Thanks to his influential impact on the music world, Banks was invited onto the podcast Lipps Service to discuss the modern musicians that continue to inspire him, as well as his all-time favourite movies. Where most mainstream film and music stars often go for obvious classics, such as The Godfather or The Shawshank Redemption, in similar lists, Banks is a little more unique in his choices.
First up is the small British independent movie Locke, starring Tom Hardy. Very much a one-man show, Locke tells the story of a family man whose life and career are turned upside down after receiving a shocking phone call. Set entirely in a BMW X5, the film focuses on the title character’s slow realisation that life will never be the same again the next time he steps out of his car.
From the celebrated Coen brothers, Banks’ next pick is the classic 1990 drama Miller’s Crossing. Starring the likes of John Turturro, Albert Finney and Gabriel Byrne, the movie follows the life of a Prohibition-era crime boss who, while attempting to keep the peace, ends up in more danger than he realises. Surprisingly nominated for zero Academy Awards, it remains a classic from the Coens’ filmography.
Clearly a lover of British cinema, Banks’ next pick is the modern science fiction classic Moon from director Duncan Jones, the son of David Bowie. Telling the story of an astronaut who is tasked with a three-year mission on the moon where he regularly sends parcels back to Earth to help with the planet’s energy problem, the film is a beloved sci-fi featuring a powerhouse performance from Sam Rockwell.
Perhaps the most timeless and critically acclaimed movie on his list is the 1970 Nicolas Roeg movie Performance, starring the likes of James Fox, Mick Jagger and Anita Pallenberg. Only nominated for one Bafta at the time, despite its seminal contemporary status, it proved a little too eccentric for some, telling the story of a violent gangster who seeks safety in the home of a former famous musician.
The last movie to grace his list is yet another British independent oddity, Danny Boyle’s 2009 film Sunshine. Quite underrated in the realm of science fiction, Boyle’s movie, which tells the story of a group of astronauts tasked with reigniting the sun with a nuclear bomb, is a gripping thriller and bombastic riot of a movie featuring quality performances from Chris Evans, Cillian Murphy and Michelle Yeoh, among others.
Paul Banks’ favourite movies:
- Locke (Steven Knight, 2013)
- Miller’s Crossing (Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, 1990)
- Moon (Duncan Jones, 2009)
- Performance (Donald Cammell, Nicolas Roeg, 1970)
- Sunshine (Danny Boyle, 2007)
