A collection of Todd Haynes’ favourite movies
A true auteur of modern cinema, Todd Haynes‘ films have captivated audiences ever since his feature-length debut, Poison, arrived in 1991. With narratives that examine the nature of dysfunctional societies and specific features focusing on the lives of famous musicians, Haynes is a true master of film and is well-renowned within the industry.
The likes of Safe, Velvet Goldmine, Far From Heaven, I’m Not There and Carol have proven that Haynes possesses versatility, leaving him capable of approaching any theme or genre. In terms of the Los Angeles-born director’s influences, one can consult his list of favourite movies as per his closet picks when visiting the Criterion closet.
The films of the 1950s are of special interest to Haynes, and he picked out several classics from the decade, including Douglas Sirk’s All That Heaven Allows and Written on the Wind, Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter, Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s All About Eve and In a Lonely Place by Nicholas Ray, proving Haynes’ love for mid-century cinema.
Haynes finds a soft spot for the satirical musical melodrama Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, the 1970 movie written by Roger Ebert and directed by Russ Meyer. Initially conceived of as a sequel to the 1967 film Valley of the Dolls, it was eventually revised into a parody of the original, though the satire seemed to escape the critics of the time, and the film was widely panned.
Rainer Werner Fassbinder is clearly one of Haynes’ favourite directors as he includes his BRD Trilogy, comprised of 1979’s The Marriage of Maria Braun, 1981’s Lola and 1982 Veronika Voss. The trio of films are considered a trilogy because of their thematic link rather than any narrative connection, though they all concern a woman in West Germany post-World War II.
There’s an admiration for Gus Van Sant and his 1991 independent adventure film My Own Private Idaho, starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves as two friends who take a journey of self-discovery from Oregon to Rome via Idaho, just as there is equal love for Claire Denis’ 1999 movie Beau Travail, loosely based on Herman Melville’s 1888 novel Billy Budd.
The only movie from the 21st century that makes its way into Haynes’ selection is Kelly Reichardt’s 2006 road movie, Old Joy, based on a short story by Jonathan Raymond. With an original soundtrack by Yo La Tengo, the film focuses on two friends, living very different lifestyles, who reunite for a weekend camping trip.
Check out the complete selection of Todd Haynes’ favourite movies below.
Todd Haynes’ favourite movies:
- Brief Encounter (David Lean, 1945)
- My Own Private Idaho (Gus Van Sant, 1991)
- All That Heaven Allows (Douglas Sirk, 1955)
- Written on the Wind (Douglas Sirk, 1956)
- The BRD Trilogy (Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1979, 1981, 1982)
- Masclulin Feminin (Jean-Luc Godard, 1966)
- Sunday Bloody Sunday (John Schlesinger, 1971)
- The Night of the Hunter (Charles Laughton, 1955)
- The Long Day Closes (Terence Davis, 1992)
- Beau Travail (Claire Denis, 1999)
- All About Eve (Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1950)
- Now, Voyager (Irving Rapper, 1942)
- Old Joy (Kelly Reichardt, 2006)
- The Servant (Joseph Losey, 1963)
- Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (Russ Meyer, 1970)
- In a Lonely Place (Nicholas Ray, 1950)
