October 11, 2021
XLI — Maik Schuster
Maik Schuster is a director based in Berlin and founder of the directors collective I AM HERE.

Below are Maik’s selects for influential works:

Movies
Process by Kahlil Joseph
2018

I admire Kahlil’s work. I hadn’t seen anything like it before and I was blown away by the symbiosis of cinema, music, and poetry. Symbolism, origin, and heritage. This film for Sampha is so rich in many ways, a whole new genre. It also was a major inspiration for our short film ‘The Seed‘ but more than anything it gave us the confidence to approach filmmaking differently and to think in layers rather than following a linear story thread. By the way, if anyone knows where I can buy or stream it these days please hit me up… it’s a well-hidden treasure!

Movies
Performance by Donald Cammell & Nicolas Roeg
1970

A trippy journey around violence, identity, and Mick Jagger. And Mick Jagger.

Movies
Ice Age by Chris Wedge
2002

The first film I actively watched in a cinema. I laughed my 12-year-old ass off. 10 years later I applied for film university. The lecturers wanted to test me and asked for my favorite film. For some reason, all I could think of in the interview situation was ‘Ice Age’. Some laughed at me, others looked confused because they didn’t know if I was being serious I believe. In the end, I got away with it and was accepted. Another 10 years forward and I still think ‘Ice Age’ is pure gold – but it ironically also sets a tragic counterpart to the world we live in with global warming being our biggest challenge.

Movies
Kids by Larry Clark
1995

A classic. Often copied, never reached. A groundbreaking film for skateboarding and youth culture.

Music Video
‘Never Catch Me’ Flying Lotus ft. Kendrick Lamar by Hiro Murai
2014

Another Flying Lotus, another story about life and death. I think this one really hits the spot and I find it super interesting to compare it to ‘Until The Quiet Comes’. Hiro’s storytelling perfectly matches with the song and I love how he celebrates the bright side of death. Another great example of dance in music videos and how it can become part of a narrative. It just makes so much sense here. Insane casting on this one also. These kids! WOW!

Skate Videos
Spirit Quest by Colin Read
2016

Brain melting creativity throughout this whole concept video. Even when watching it over and over again you don’t get all the details and crazy transitions. I feel like the stuff Colin puts out is always so innovative and I also love his film and commercial work.

Skate Videos
‘Mindfield’ Alien Workshop by Greg Hunt
2009

The last iconic video from Alien Workshop in my opinion. This video taught me a lot about associative editing and how an image influences the following even though they don’t have a clear connection. A true lesson in abstract thinking combined with amazing skating and music.

Skate Videos
‘Enjoi’ Bag Of Suck by Matt Eversole
2006

The same as in film: Sometimes all you need is to follow a unique character. Louie Barletta is just a rolling stand-up comedy show and the hype is real every time I watch him skate. The way he jumps on that broken board in the first line says everything. You can find the whole video on Youtube I think.

PEOPLE IN THIS ARTICLE
Donald Cammell
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Nicolas Roeg
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Chris Wedge
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Greg Hunt
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Matt Eversole
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