Music
Ta-ku's favourite film directors
In anticipation of his directorial debut the Perth beatmaker shares his film inspirations.
Ta-Ku
© Kayla Mathews
He might be synonymous with crafting infectious R&B infused beats, but Ta-ku is fast becoming just as celebrated for his work in photography, design and fashion. Now in a commissioned film work by Red Bull Music Academy, Ta-ku is ready to add another string to his bow, '(M)edian', a collaboration with Australian director Damon Cameron and Ta-ku's directorial debut - set to premiere at Red Bull Music Academy Weekender Sydney in September.
Created to coincide with a forthcoming collaborative EP written with Brisbane songstress Wafia, '(M)edian' is a unique short film set in Sydney that explores the theme of family relationships. "The (M)edian EP is inspired by myself and Wafia's relationships with our fathers," Ta-ku explains. "And the story for the film is about dysfunction within the family and how each member has their own issues to deal with."
In anticipation of Ta-ku's first foray into the world of moving image, the Perth artist reveals his favourite directors and their films, and how they've inspired his own creative process.
Ta-ku & Wafia
© [unknown]
New Zealand
I really like Taika Waititi, who directed ‘Boy.’ That film and everything he’s done since then has been really impressive. He has this drab, still shot kind of vibe to his movies that really encapsulate the mundane feel of everyday life. At the same time they’re also very sensitive and earnest. ‘Boy’ is quite surreal and quirky, but it’s also not too far off from what is was like for my Dad’s generation of growing up in New Zealand in the late ‘70s to early ‘80s. The relationship in that film between the son and father is something I connect with a lot.
Hollywood
Some of the films I really love to watch – not just for their photography and direction, but also just purely for enjoyment - are by Sam Mendes. I tend to like all the films he makes. I’m a big fan of 'American Beauty', 'Road To Perdition', and 'Revolutionary Road'. Sam Mendes tends to use the same composer, Thomas Newman, who I’m also a huge fan of. I’ll watch any film he’s scored regardless of who’s in it or what it’s about! He’s actually one of my major motivations behind wanting to learn more about film and shooting video. He’s the epitome of emotive - and sometimes eerie – film scoring.
I also have to give a mention to Wes Anderson, who has such a great consistency in the films he creates. 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and 'Darjeeling Limited' are favourites of mine. The worlds he creates are so unique and his films are almost like plays, in a way. He’s definitely carved out a huge influence in me.
Mockumentary
I know we were going to discuss documentary filmmakers, but Christopher Guest is one of my favourite directors, so it’ll have to be mockumentary instead! His films are pretty legendary; 'This Is Spinal Tap', 'Waiting For Guffman', 'Best In Show'. The way he shoots his films captures the more depressing and mundane side of life. Although Spinal Tap is his most iconic, for me, Best In Show is probably his funniest and most ridiculous – the characters are so out there. If you watch interviews with Ricky Gervais, he tips his hat to Christopher Guest all the time. He’s definitely a pioneer in the mockumentary style of film.
World Film
The first movie I think of when people ask me about world or foreign films is ‘In The Mood For Love’ by Wong Kar-wai – a Hong Kong director. He’s gone on to do a lot of grandiose kung-fu flicks, like 'The Grand Master'; real east-meets-west kind of stuff. But ‘In The Mood For Love’ is the complete opposite – it’s a love story set in China about two people who meet and both their partners are cheating on them. The way its shot is really unusual for the framing; it’s purposely done in an amateur way, it’s like he’s shooting in a mind of pictures instead of video. I think my photography is influenced a lot by his films.
Music Video
Back in the day I was a big fan of Hype Williams - he directed clips for so many iconic hip-hop songs back when I was in high school. Stuff like Nas’ ‘Hate Me Now,’ ‘Shimmy Shimmy’ by Ol Dirty Bastard, and ‘Mo Money Mo Problems' by Notorious B.I.G.. He was the king back then with his signature fish eye lens shots…and it was all about money, cash and women (laughs).
Another director who comes to mind - whose films I also love - is Spike Jonze. He directed the clip for ‘Drop’ by The Pharcyde, which is one of the first music videos that really blew my mind because everything was done in reverse, yet all the lyrics were still in sync. It was edited so well.
A modern film clip director that I really love the work of is Hiro Murai, who has worked with Childish Gambino, Flying Lotus and Chet Faker (‘Gold’). They’re all shot and choreographed really beautifully, and when I watch them I feel so inspired…but also envious at how good they are!
Ta-ku's (M)edian premieres on Thursday September 8th at Paddington's Verona Cinema as part of RBMA Weekender Sydney. Head here for tickets and more info.
