About what drives my Mind & Soul

Much like with my book list, this section couldn't begin any differently. This David Lynch's masterpiece is the only title I'd take to a desert island. My intention here is to provide only teasers, so this isn't the place for a lengthy essay. But I wrote a strong piece about this film on one of my blogs many years ago.

The film was put together by accident, as most of the material came from a pilot episode of a series that was never produced. That's why its movie plot is so surreal. It can be reinterpreted every time you watch it. That's the film's great strength.

An absolutely brilliant performance by Naomi Watts. This strange story with a touch of comedy, horror, and mystery is a wonderful cinematic journey. Only David Lynch could make that happen!

The subject of love is incomprehensibly complex. So profoundly so that we have been rehashing this phenomenon since ancient times… And it will remain so until the end of humanity. But what is this film's poster trying to tell us? What kind of love is it about? Or even more pertinently – love for whom in this relationship is it about?

Perhaps this remarkable achievement by Stanley Kubrick ranks with my favorite masterpiece by David Lynch. It's a film equally stunning, one I can revisit again and again, and it will always bring the same joy. The movie camera was invented for such intellectual adventures.

This is a work so sacred that I almost disgust myself by mentioning it in such an unworthy place, and in such a dumb way. “Eyes Wide Shut” defines what a cinematic masterpiece is for future generations of directors.

Have you ever seen a more confusing opening scene in any other movie? It's a masterpiece in so many ways. I remember being utterly impressed. Along with Damien Chazelle's gripping "Whiplash", it was the best film I saw that year.

Alejandro González Iñárritu's superb direction is one thing. Emmanuel Lubezki's technical feat cemented this film in the annals of world-class cinematography. Douglas Crise and Stephen Mirrione complemented it with fantastic editing job. The cherry on the cake is the amazing cast.

That many elements need to be mentioned at the outset to do justice to what this incredible production represents.

I don't think I'll surprise anyone if I add that this isn't just a technical wonder. The plot presented is moving, philosophically profound, and open to all interpretations from the viewer. In short, one of the best movies in modern cinematic history!

Today, memories of this film are already adorned with a patina. Many years have passed… But I still include Brady Corbet's film on my list without hesitation. This work intrigued me from the very first seconds, when the film's magnificent score, composed by Scott Walker himself, plays against a black backdrop.

The story focuses on the psychological aspect of becoming a monster in human form, with a clear allusion to all bloody dictators in the finale. It may not be a great plot, but the cinematography and music are certainly worth experiencing. It's memorable, and compared to today's mediocre productions, that's a significant achievement.

An excellent debut from Tom Sweet. The acting is generally top-notch. I was very curious to see what the director would do next, as this was his first film. I remain disappointed with his subsequent projects. Perhaps you only find a gem like this once…

This title, directed by Céline Sciamma, was recommended to me for viewing by one of my shoemaking colleagues from Turkey. I can't even express how grateful I am. A certain scene halfway through the film completely captivated me. It only got better from there.

"Portrait of a Lady on Fire" is a complete work of art. Everything about it is perfect. It's also a full emotional journey. While I reacted to the beginning with a great deal of indifference, the very end left me crying long after the screening. It's a true cinematic feast. I might even go so far as to say it's masterful. Although I usually don't say that lightly.

Absolutely stunning cinematography. Phenomenal atmosphere. The pacing of the story is also excellent. Great acting. A truly tremendous finale. This film will appeal to every artist. Like "Los domingos," it's not for everyone.

This film, written and directed by Lawrence Michael Levine, is now just a distant memory. I only saw it once, a few years ago, but recently it came back to me with incredible intensity. And that usually means it must have been good.

It's a psychedelic story. It intrigued me from the very beginning. It has a unique atmosphere that simply captivates me. The script is cleverly constructed, with impressive direction and a truly excellent cast. It touches on the mystery of the creative process. It also speaks to the madness to which the act of deconstruction can lead, especially when you're stuck in a black hole of hidden inspiration.

I love absolutely everything about this production, and just writing about this unique work makes me want to watch it again. It's one of those films that simply deserves to be seen at least twice. Absolutely brilliant cinema.

In his work "The Quiet Girl," Irishman Colm Bairéad painted a cinematic story worthy of any museum canvas. I cried. I fell in love with this film from the very first scenes and remember it to this day, even though I only saw it once in 2023. It's the kind of cinema I enjoy the most.

The film is woven from a series of nostalgic images, fueled by emotional metaphors and understatements. Little is said, much is seen and guessed. This work recalls the vision of poetry dreamed of by Arthur Rimbaud—communicating from soul to soul, from mind to mind.

A brilliant debut for the young Catherine Clinch. I await her future roles as I await good news from abroad. The excellence of her performance brings to mind Tom Sweet's debut in the amazing "The Childhood of a Leader." A girl like that is a treasure.

This film, directed by Alaud Ruiz de Azúa, is a completely new experience, but I already have no doubt that it will be one of the most important films ever. I was emotionally torn apart, and I cried like a baby during the credits. An absolutely fantastic story!

The emotional depths or the film's central theme aren't for everyone. It's a film for a selected few. I love that about it with all my heart. It's beautifully told, delivered through dialogue, but also with phenomenal camerawork. The cinematography is simply stunning. It's one of those rare instances where there's not a single thing that is superfluous. This film doesn't border on kitsch for even a second. I definitely crave for more experiences like this.

Blanca Soroa's film debut deeply moved me. Her performance is unforgettable. It's one of those films I'll only watch once, because, like "The Quiet Girl," I'll remember every shot, every gesture, and every word for the rest of my life.

I'm opening this chapter on the world's greatest shoemakers with a salvo of the biggest guns. It's impossible not to single out TYE Shoemaker first. I think from the very first encounter, I felt this was the kind of shoemaking I wanted to pursue. The combination of tradition and modernity has captivated me since the beginning of my own design endeavors. Hell, my first pair of shoes was inspired by an incredible pair of women's shoes they made!

The name of this company is composed of the initials of its founders. Operating since 2011, the company has built a reputation that needs no introduction to anyone familiar with the shoemaking world. It's the quintessence of style, good taste, and bold, classic design with a twist.

I have to emphasize this: this is it! The best designs, the best craftsmanship, the best people in the entire footwear industry of this world!

Victor is one of those phenomena, which I'll discuss more about here. It's incomprehensible to me how such a wonderful, versatile, and absolutely fantastic maker could have become interested in the work of someone like me. I'm incredibly grateful for this and deeply value my acquaintance with him. He's a very helpful and honest man. It applies to everyone I'll mention here, as I've had both deeper and more fleeting personal contacts with each of them.

Victor's style is very close to my heart, which is probably quite obvious. Although we operate completely independently, we share a common trait of tinkering and constantly asking questions about everything. We go so far as to develop our own techniques, and Victor goes even further, creating the tools he needs for this purpose.

He's a wonderful man. An excellent shoemaker. He won a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships.

The gold medalist at the 2024 World Championships was the only winner in history to re-enter the competition again, finishing third in 2025. An architect by profession, he initially caught the shoe collecting bug. His collection now exceeds 300 pairs.

With his typical for Japanese obsession and dedication to work, after a period focused on shoe repair, he switched to manufacturing. His motivations are very close to my heart. Like me, he was intrigued by the concept of correctly fitting the shoe. Exploring this topic, he began tinkering, which led to the founding of his own brand.

He is an artisan who particularly interests me. He has already inspired me with his set of principles. Not only classic form and the perfect fit, but also an emphasis on repairability are his foundations. And these principles, defined in this way, must lead to the production of a quality footwear.

I first heard about him after he won the silver medal at the 2022 World Championships. Every admiration has to be channeled somehow. That's exactly what happened to me. It was about the personification of the power that Japanese craftsmen exude. Or more precisely, about a work ethic that the Western world lacks.

In Europe, the Japanese seem strange to us. Our way of being, and above all, our way of communicating, is so different that it couldn't be otherwise. But one only needs to step back and objectively examine the work of human hands in Japan to understand the superiority of this culture over ours.

His works are shoemaker's Everest peaks. Philosophical depth. Pairs imbued with spirituality and meditative concentration on every stage of production. Even the way he speaks gives the impression that there's an intelligent thought process behind every word.

Winner of his second silver medal at the 2025 World Championships.

Mr. Miller equals cowboy boots. Everyone knows that. I'll start by saying that I consider this type of footwear to be the most demanding on experience. Firstly, you must master the art of last fitting. Secondly, the number of decorative elements is practically limitless, making it difficult to stand out.

Among the world's cowboy boot makers, I most value my acquaintance with Lee Miller of Texas Traditions. We share a very warm feelings for an industry legend Charlie Dunn. While it's more than obvious in his case, why I feel such an undefined connection remains a mystery to me.

Lee Miller is a living legend. He's an incredibly talented, yet kind and humble journeyman who has dedicated his life not only to incredible boot making. He is also a generous teacher, a rarity in his field.

Truly great man, I'm always happy to talk to him.

A list of shoemakers who have distinguished themselves in some way. We may not necessarily know each other personally, but their work has certainly influenced my thinking.

I remember very clearly my first encounter with this woman's phenomenon. At a time when I had no idea that shoemaking would become my own life adventure, I've watched her charming appearance in a V&A Museum ad with bated breath. This was when she was still working for Foster & Son. Materials like this inspired me, drew me into the new world, and convinced me of the fantastic nature of this kind of work.

I admire everything about her. Her style is quite conservative, clearly rooted in the English school of craftsmanship. She handles every step of the production process herself, and for me, this is an excellent benchmark. I only want to measure myself against this kind of shoemakers. In ambitions, creativity, and skills.

She has one of the most beautiful Instagram profiles, although I'm not sure if she takes the photos herself... In any case, it's a piece of great work. It's atmospheric, feminine, warm, and cozy. I love women in this craft and will probably mention a few more of them as well.

These days, he's one of the shoemakers in Europe that intrigues me the most. Along with Victor Vulpe, he's my biggest draw, and I'm following his career with interest. I feel a strong similarity in our perceptions of reality. Reading his interviews or materials about KLH, I often get the impression that we think in a disturbingly similar ways.

Generally speaking, shoemaking is a profession for introverts. It's rare in our world to meet characters with a distinctive personality. This German is a notable exception. I'm almost certain that interacting with him must be a powerful experience. I imagine an intelligent man with a good sense of humor. I'd definitely like to talk to him about literature and music, as these topics also connect us.

His style is the result of a teamwork. I analyze these kinds of works from a different perspective. But he's involved in last making, so I can still relate. I really like his Instagram profile. He's one of the wittiest shoemakers I know about.