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| The Firm / Ape |
Joel Potrykus’ films have the unique distinction of being 100% his own while still being incredibly reference-heavy. Last year we delved in to his many homages & references (click here & here to read more). A handful of comparisons got left on the cutting room floor so I decided to post them before the year is over.
Some of these are straight from the director’s mouth while others are total reaches on my own part. Either way, enjoy…
Don't forget to check out Potrykus' own video montage of references over on vimeo (click here)
I consider myself lucky to have been so moved by Jarmusch's early films, because I'd be living a disappointing existence if I were trying to copy Star Wars - Joel Potrykus, Criterion
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| Permanent Vacation / Ape |
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| Permanent Vacation / Buzzard |
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| Permanent Vacation / Gordon |
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We thought, if this Richard Linklater guy living in Texas can do it, we can do it in Michigan. We filmed ourselves hanging out and talking about nothing - Joel Potrykus, Criterion
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Slacker / Buzzard
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Gummo– this is great, I love it, I can make that movie - Joel Potrykus, hammertoenail.com
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| Gummo / Ape |
I was still trying to emulate Sam Raimi. Raimi is a Michigan filmmaker, and he was the guy that first made me feel I could be a filmmaker - Joel Potrykus, moviemezzanine.com
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| Evil Dead 2 / Buzzard |
Last year we looked at a parallel between Ape and Cassavetes’ Killing Of A Chinese Bookie (click here to read). Hear are a few more…
As Cassavetes says ‘The face is the best landscape’ - Joel Potrykus, Bomb Magazine
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| The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie / Ape |
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The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie / Ape
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Alan Clarke is one of my biggest influences, because his work feels more raw and real - Joel Potrykus, Bomb Magazine
Yeah, The Road Warrior. He's just eating that dog food out of the can. Ever since I was a little kid, I was like, "Wow, if the world goes to shit, you can find dog food or cat food and you'll be fine." I was always obsessed with that. Especially since in the first Mad Max, he's out in a field eating a peanut butter and honey sandwich or something like that. He's gone from the domestic bliss of peanut butter to the wasteland version of dog food out of the can. I loved that. - Joel Potrykus, avclub
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Mad Max 2 / Alchemist Cookbook
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Mad Max 2 / Buzzard
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Here are some more (non-confirmed) visual similarities that stuck out to me…
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A Clockwork Orange / Alchemist Cookbook
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