"Possibly the first film I rented only because it was on Criterion, without ever having heard a single thing about it. Now it is one of my favorite films of all time. Beautiful example of the company putting support behind a film and elevating it from “cult” to “canon.” I wonder how many fewer people would know about this film if it, like many others, had not been given a proper home video release by the most reputable of companies at exactly the right time."

"Kiarostami has spooky power. The wind, the dust, passersby, stray sounds, even your attention—they all slow down and fall into his rhythm. He seems able to control everything inside and outside the frame, and it’s all poetry. Taste of Cherry was my introduction to him. It’s a very sad and beautiful film about life via death. I’ll think about the coda for a long time. I’m also a big fan of The Wind Will Carry Us, Where Is the Friend’s Home?, and Close-up."

"This is another Sunday afternoon record that I'd listen to a lot with James. In fact I think I still have the MiniDisc that has both of those records on it. I only discovered him recently, maybe ten to 12 years ago. The first song on that record, 'Mace And Grenades', is really beautiful, and when you listen to it on a Sunday afternoon it's very haunting. I don't really know what else to say about it other than it's one of my favourite records."