What Does Danny Boyle Think Are His Best Shots?
The director picks out some of his favorites from his storied career.
'Slumdog Millionaire'
I went to see Danny Boyle do a Q&A at the Regal Fenway in Boston on the night 127 Hours premiered. It was an amazing experience that allowed me to talk with him afterward. I told him how much I adored Millions, and it was a formative experience.
Since that moment, Boyle has been one of my favorite directors. I love the spirit with which he tackles the stories he tells, and I am deeply invested in all his projects.
Today, I wanted to show you all a video where he talks about the best shots of his career.
Let's dive in.
Danny Boyle's Best Shots
Boyle kicks things off in the video with a look back at Trainspotting. He discusses a particularly striking shot of Ewan McGregor's character, Renton, in a club during heroin withdrawal.
The slow pullback, he reveals, was a visual representation of a personal memory from his childhood. To achieve the disorienting effect, the actors moved at a frantic pace while the camera filmed at a snail's pace. The result is a scene that perfectly captures Renton's internal turmoil.
I think we should show everyone this movie, and that it would keep many people off drugs if they saw it.
Silence in 28 Days Later
Next, Boyle transports us to the desolate, empty streets of London in 28 Days Later. He recounts a seemingly simple moment when Cillian Murphy's character triggers a car alarm, a sound that, in a test screening, was so jarring it nearly came with an actual health warning.
This is one of my favorite films. It redefined zombies for an entire generation.
The Majesty of Space in Sunshine
In a departure from his more Earth-bound films, Boyle delves into the making of his sci-fi epic, Sunshine.
He describes a shot of Mercury, a tiny speck against the vastness of the sun, as an example of CGI's ability to create awe-inspiring moments.
The Romance of Mumbai in Slumdog Millionaire
This is another movie that I absolutely adore. I think it just has that Boyle magic that makes it feel tied into the characters and fate.
Boyle reflects on a romantic scene from his Oscar-winning film. He explains how a low frame rate and the unique light of India created a "hyper-rich" image, capturing a fleeting moment of beauty and connection at a bustling railway station.
The Evolution of Fear in 28 Weeks Later
Returning to the world of the infected, Boyle discusses a pivotal shot from 28 Weeks Later. A seemingly innocuous image of a hillside holds a sinister secret: the infected are no longer mindless, but are organizing, hunting as a pack, and hinting at a terrifying new level of intelligence.
It's a masterclass in show, don't tell.
A Nod to a Master: Apocalypse Now
Finally, Boyle pays homage to one of his own cinematic heroes, Francis Ford Coppola. He speaks with reverence about Apocalypse Now, a film he considers a "true prophet".
For Boyle, picking just one iconic shot from Coppola's masterpiece is an impossible task, a sentiment that many film lovers can surely understand.
Summing It All Up
The video offers a rare and intimate look into the creative process of one of modern cinema's most dynamic directors.
It's a must-watch for any aspiring filmmaker or cinephile who wants to understand the artistry and intention behind every frame.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
