
Benh Zeitlin
Benh Zeitlin is an American filmmaker and compositor born in Queens, NY. He is best known for his debut feature Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) which won, among many others, the Grand Jury prize at Sundance, the Caméra d’Or at Cannes, and was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Zeitlin is based in New-Orleans where he moved to shoot his short Glory At Sea and Beasts. He is currently prepping his second feature.
Here are five films he loves.
01
Underground, Emir Kusturica, 1995
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The movie that made me want to make movies.
02
Minnie and Moskowitz, John Cassavetes, 1971
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Hot Dog, coffee and a beer. This movie is for lovers and goes great with a couple drinks.
03
The Raid 2, Gareth Evans, 2014
Watch the film
The camera is always exactly where it needs to be, all the movement is so physical and motivated. These guys are pushing the language of ass-kicking forward, if not the language of cinema.
04
Il Mondo Perduto, Vittorio de Seta, 1954
Watch the films
Some of most incredible footage ever shot, watching this feels like you've dug a pile of 16mm film out of your back yard and it's treasure. I wish someone would get these films out into the world (or bury them for the people of the future).
05
Wildwood, NJ , Ruth Leitman & Carol Weaks, 1994
Watch the film
Girls on the boardwalk talking about love, sex, fighting, friendship. Makes you realize how rarely you see real female friendship depicted in film.
01 Underground, Emir Kusturica, 1995
Watch the film
01
The movie that made me want to make movies.
02 Minnie and Moskowitz, John Cassavetes, 1971
Watch the film
02
Hot Dog, coffee and a beer. This movie is for lovers and goes great with a couple drinks.
03 The Raid 2, Gareth Evans, 2014
Watch the film
03
The camera is always exactly where it needs to be, all the movement is so physical and motivated. These guys are pushing the language of ass-kicking forward, if not the language of cinema.
04 Il Mondo Perduto, Vittorio de Seta, 1954
Watch the films
04
Some of most incredible footage ever shot, watching this feels like you've dug a pile of 16mm film out of your back yard and it's treasure. I wish someone would get these films out into the world (or bury them for the people of the future).
05 Wildwood, NJ , Ruth Leitman & Carol Weaks, 1994
Watch the film
05
Girls on the boardwalk talking about love, sex, fighting, friendship. Makes you realize how rarely you see real female friendship depicted in film.