Gregg Araki's Closet Picks

With his 1995 cult classic THE DOOM GENERATION—the blistering second installment in his Teenage Apocalypse Trilogy—now newly restored to its audacious, uncut glory and playing exclusively on the Criterion Channel, the filmmaker reminisces about writing papers on BRINGING UP BABY in film school, defends one of David Lynch’s most polarizing masterpieces, and calls John Waters “the original godfather of everything.”

[fuckTrump-vj]

The one and only time Greg Araki was in the closet.

[creekandseminole]

His love for the music genres are why I love his films so much

[JayMartinFilm]

Gregg Araki’s closet picks:

- Bringing Up Baby dir. Howard Hawks (1939)
- Something Wild dir. Jonathan Demme (1986)
- Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me dir. David Lynch (1992)
- Masculin Feminin dir. Jean-Luc Godard (1966)
- Pink Flamingoes dir. John Waters (1972)
- Stranger than Paradise dir. Jim Jarmusch (1984)

[LadyAmerican]

Really enjoyed hearing his picks!!! Can’t believe that he is 63 going on 64!!!

[metalheart]

Doom Generation and Nowhere definitely need a Criterion release A box set would be awesome. I can't believe his movies aren't on Criterion!

[vidhyutgadia]

Araki made a movie that will remain one of the most hauntingly memorable experiences of my life ever. The film is Mysterious skin. My jaw dropped when I first saw it. I have seen it 10 more times after my first visit. A truly profound experience and I am grateful to him for sharing such an important story.

[dolores]

His films introduced me to my now favorite band - Slowdive. Very grateful for that.

[benjaminsouth]

GREGG WAS MY GATEWAY TO CHALLENGING CINEMA AND HE BASICALLY MADE ME NOT HOMOPHOBIC I was from a very poor family in a working class town and did not have access to much. Mysterious Skin and his early dark comedies opened up my whole fucking world

[mysteriousskin]

I started watching all of araki’s filmography in 2020 during lockdown and I think about every single one of his films like everyday😭 I had always wanted to watch them but a lot of them were hard to find i couldn’t even find doom generation online but so happy there’s a new restoration so happy to be alive during this araki resurgence lol

[machtnichtsseimann]

IMHO, Araki's "Nowhere" is his best. Cult Classic. Fell in love with it first time I saw it.
The acting; camera work; music; lighting; symbolism; pop culture; dark comedy.
Has aged well. Still love it. Bought it on VHS!? Come on, Criterion, let's do this!

[walkerwhite]

Fire Walk With Me can never get enough love in my book. Really happy to finally see it get a showcase in a Criterion closet picks video!!

[OldPacman]

Absolutely LOVE his movies (and tv show). Waiting for his next project

[trnygbl]

Respect for choosing Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me!

[zantigar]

Yay, Gregg! Fire Walk With Me! Three Bewildered People In The Night - neglected masterpiece, subconscious influence on independent cinema - flipped into the middle of it late one night on PBS when PBS was cool, and it felt like some strange dream in grainy Bolex black and white. And the non-sync sound only ADDED to its power! Araki forever!

[FrydaWolff]

Araki's aesthetic defined the 90s for me, completely.

[ernieapple]

I love Gregg Araki. Fantastic film director with impeccable taste. I’m really impressed by his choices. We need his films Criterion release !! Great video

[dn]

Masculin Feminin was the first Jean-Luc Godard film I watched and I was blown away. Definitely my favorite Godard film. Great pick!

[tectorgorch]

Those gumballs floating is space in Mysterious Skin -- unforgettable -- also that was the first time I had ever seen JGL beyond 3rd Rock.

[billycostigan]

This dude is 63 years old. Man looks 50 at most.

[leahh]

petition for the doom generation to be a criterion collection??