Paul Weitz, an Oscar-nominated writer-director, shares his top five movie inspirations, which have helped shape his filmmaking career. Weitz draws inspiration from a diverse range of films, including “Do the Right Thing,” “The Apu Trilogy,” “The Conversation,” “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” and “Bicycle Thieves.” Weitz also discusses his filmmaking career and his latest film, “Moving On,” starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The film is a tonally ambitious, darkly comedic revenge thriller, showcasing Weitz’s commitment to making films that are creatively fulfilling regardless of budget. Weitz’s career has been varied, starting as an Off-Broadway playwright before transitioning to film. He co-wrote Dreamworks Animation’s “Antz” with his younger brother, Chris Weitz, before making his directorial debut with the blockbuster teen sex comedy “American Pie.” Weitz’s work has been both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, and he continues to create films that inspire and challenge him as a filmmaker.
Paul Weitz: 5 Movies That Have Inspired Him as a Filmmaker
Paul Weitz, an Oscar-nominated writer-director known for films like “About a Boy” and “American Pie,” recently shared his top five movie inspirations with A.frame. As a playwright turned filmmaker, Weitz draws inspiration from a diverse range of films, including the works of Spike Lee and the acclaimed “The Apu Trilogy.”
- “Do the Right Thing” (1989)
Spike Lee’s powerful exploration of racial tensions in Brooklyn is a seminal work for Weitz. “It was the first time I saw a film that really dealt with race in a way that was very specific,” he says. “It was one of those moments where you go, ‘Oh, you can do that in a movie.'”
- “The Apu Trilogy” (1955-1959)
Directed by Satyajit Ray, this trilogy of films follows the life of Apu, a poor Bengali boy. Weitz was struck by the “pure cinema” of Ray’s storytelling. “It’s just visual storytelling, and it’s so moving and so powerful.”
- “The Conversation” (1974)
Francis Ford Coppola’s psychological thriller about a surveillance expert played by Gene Hackman left a lasting impression on Weitz. “I just love that film. It’s so intense and so well done,” he says.
- “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice” (1969)
This offbeat comedy-drama explores the sexual mores of the late 1960s. Weitz cites it as a film that opened up his understanding of what movies could be. “It’s just so weird, and so of its moment. It’s got this incredible openness to it,” he says.
- “Bicycle Thieves” (1948)
Vittorio De Sica’s Italian neorealist classic tells the story of a man and his son searching for a stolen bicycle. For Weitz, it’s a reminder of the power of simplicity in storytelling. “It’s just a very simple story, but it’s very powerful,” he says.
Now, as a seasoned filmmaker, Weitz is committed to making films that are tonally ambitious and creatively fulfilling, regardless of budget. His latest film, “Moving On,” stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in a darkly comedic revenge thriller. While he draws inspiration from a range of sources, these five films have left an indelible mark on his work.
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