FILMS I ALWAYS RETURN TO

A PORTRAIT OF GA (1952) MARGARET TAIT

Despite being only four minutes long, this is a constant reminder that simplicity can be truly transcendent.

THE GARDEN (1990) DEREK JARMAN

This made me first consider the significance of the person behind the camera.

BIG WEDNESDAY (1978) JOHN MILIUS

Essential viewing for someone growing up on the North Cornish coast in the ’90s with ’60s/’70s California feeling strangely familiar.

DON’T LOOK NOW (1973) NICOLAS ROEG

The fractured time, zoom lenses and disorientating montage make it a constant inspiration. Roeg was a true one-off.

DAGUERRÉOTYPES (1976) AGNES VARDA

A perfectly composed view of the world through a crack in the door and the eyes of a genius.

L’ARGENT (1983) ROBERT BRESSON

Bresson’s last is also his best. His insistence on simplicity with regard to both form and content was so refreshing to me.

CULLODEN (1964) PETER WATKINS

Technically speaking it is TV, but Watkins is such an inspiration for me it has to be included.

RADIO ON (1979) CHRIS PETIT

Atmospherically unlike anything else I’ve seen come out of Britain.

GALLIVANT (1996) ANDREW KÖTTING

A film full of humanity, humour and honesty from a modern master.

SALAAM CINEMA (1995) MOHSEN MAKHMALBAF

I’ve revisited this complex love letter to cinema several times.