Rotterdam FF: The songs that inspire filmmakers

Cinema and music have the closest possible relationship among the arts. So it is no surprise that certain songs inspire filmmakers. For that reason the International Film Festival Rotterdam has asked 51 directors and scriptwriters to create their favorite playlists of songs that inspire them to create their upcoming films.

The selection of songs and filmmakers is quite interesting and extremely diversified. The acclaimed Portuguese director Pedro Costa (Cavalo Dinheiro) clearly enjoys György Kurtág’s compositions just like Sergio Caballero (Finisterrae) who also likes David Lynch’s songs just like Sanaz Azari does. Berliner Schule co-founder Christoph Hochhäusler (Milchwald) listens to David Bowie and experimental filmmaker Ben Russell (Let Each One Go Where He May) prefers Lil Wayne. Manuel Mozos (Ruínas) has certainly a soft spot towards Disney’s classics soundtracks (Snow White, Dumbo and Bambi) while Kun-jae Jang (Hwioribaram) Su Rynard (Kardia) are obvious fans of Glenn Gould. Brazilians like to rock, Gabriel Mascaro (Avenida Brasília Formosa) has included his compatriots Sepultura and Bruno Safadi (O Uivo da Gaita) prefers grunge bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana. It should be noted that the singer that appears in the most playlists is Kate Bush.

If you want to explore all the playlist you have just to check Spotify and follow IFFR’s official profile under the username iffr2014
The 44th edition of International Film Festival Rotterdam will be held from 21 January to 1 February 2015.

Here are some of my favorite playlists:

by Sergio Caballero

by Koen Mortier

by Pedro Costa

by Jean-Paul Kelly

by Su Rynard

by Marat Sarulu