Many things in life influence us in many ways, so I will restrict this to directors, for I am more excited to learn the director’s name than the producer, editor, or actor. In order of importance, from least to most and incidentally chronologically:
1) Robert Altman, for focusing my attention on the director’s contribution, rather than the actor.
2) Clint Eastwood, for introducing me to the great American Western and the effectiveness of self promotion.
3) Stanley Kubrick, for introducing me to the importance of claiming to like those who are respected by those I respect.
4) Francis Ford Coppola, for introducing me to the film student.
5) Alexandre Rockwell, for showing me that a niché film can resonate greater than a than a popular film, and that lonely appreciation is bitter sweet.
6) Martin Scorsese, for showing me that a popular film can be as least as great as a niché film
7) Sergio Leone, for sharing my love for both America and the American Western, and for painfully revealing the illusion of both.
