A few weeks ago, Barack Obama made a televised introduction to a US TV showing of To Kill a Mockingbird. Here's some video of Potus's intro.
Tom Shone wrote an astute piece at the time about the smartness of Obama's choice, and he highlighted the judiciousness with which the president had managed his own brand with reference to cinema.
… his election night scored with the soundtrack of the Denzel Washington football movie, Remember the Titans, his early days in office playing out as a Dave-like comedy about an outsider-come-to-Washington, complete with gee-whiz riffs on presidential helicopters and bodyguard detail.
And, courtesy of Universal (which is reissuing restored versions of Mockingbird, Jaws, The Sting and Frankenstein on DVD, to tie in with its 100th anniversary celebration), here are a couple of other film-makers – including Washington – talking about various titles that have been inspirational to them.
As you'll no doubt note, it's a little less reverential. (In fact, it pretty much confirms Washington as our favourite person ever.) But it raises questions: what is inspiration? How does it differ from simple reaction and information? How much sugar does one need on a pill? Can the word really refer to both renewed courage in the face of racial prejudice and a heightened fear of crows?
So, what films have inspired you, and in what ways? Ought cinema to strive for such a purpose, or should it be incidental? And does Washington do the best ever impression of ET, or is it just us?