EXCLUSIVE: David Michôd is the director of the new film, Christy, which is coming to cinemas on November 28
David Michôd is the creative force behind the upcoming film, Christy, featuring Sydney Sweeney, which arrives in cinemas on November 28 following its domestic box office debut.
The acclaimed Animal Kingdom director has brought to life the extraordinary true story of Christy Martin, a West Virginia native played by Sweeney who emerged as one of boxing’s most pioneering and divisive personalities.
“More than anything I loved the idea of making a movie about a woman with a really ferocious personality,” he told Reach titles.
“I just immediately got a sense that there was something about her that is very charismatic that I really liked, then met her and liked her even more – how beautifully vulnerable and kind and funny she is.”
The director revealed some of his all-time favourite films, including an “unbelievably overlooked masterpiece”.
Apocalypse Now
The epic psychological war drama from 1979 draws loose inspiration from Joseph Conrad’s 1899 novella Heart of Darkness.
The picture charts the journey of Captain Willard (Martin Sheen), tasked with a covert assignment to eliminate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a rogue Special Forces commander suspected of murder.
David said: “My favourite movie is Apocalypse Now. That movie made me want to make movies.
“I already loved movies but it was Apocalypse Now that made me want to make them. There was something about the giant, crazy adventure of that film.
“I just think it’s amazing. I was talking to someone about it who was reminding me of the fact it wasn’t universally well-reviewed when it was released, which seems insane to me.”
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
David simply stated: “I just think, unbelievably overlooked masterpiece.”
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a grand Western film from 2007.
Based on Ron Hansen’s 1983 novel of the same name, it features Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck.
The film explores the relationship between Jesse James and Robert Ford, focusing on the events that led up to the notorious killing.
Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver is a 1976 psychological thriller set in New York City post the Vietnam War.
The film stars Robert De Niro as veteran Marine and taxi driver Travis Bickle, whose mental state deteriorates as he works nights in the city.
David commented: “Taxi Driver is right up there for me, just so raw and visceral.
“But again, a movie about a character who does monstrous things, but whose vulnerability and brokenness are so right there on the surface.
“I remember when I was writing Animal Kingdom, I showed the script to people, and some of those people would say ‘Your central character isn’t likeable enough’.
“And I’d go ‘Have you seen Taxi Driver? That guy is kind of grotesque but you can feel him and that’s all you need to be able to do.”
Christy will be hitting cinemas in the UK and Ireland on November 28.