Mr John Battsek

Fast Facts

Biography

A UK documentary filmmaker and producer, Mr Battsek runs Passion Pictures - an independent film production company. One Day in September, his feature-length documentary about the tragic events of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, earned him an Oscar. His latest projects include Restrepo, following the American army's Second Platoon in Afghanistan, and The Tillman Story, a film about U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman. This last film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. www.passion-pictures.com

Mr Battsek's Recommendations

FAVOURITE RESTAURANT AND DISH

“La Famiglia. Arista Di Cinghiale.”
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VACATION CHOICE

“Gstaad in Summer. It has everything - climbing, swimming, walking, running, tennis, mountains, amazing food and beautiful, clean air.”

TOP CITY

“My home, London. It has real weather and real people, and real culture and real football and it knows its own flaws.”

FAVOURITE HOTEL

“L'Ermitage Beverly Hills. That's where I stayed the week I won an Academy Award and so it has a special place in my heart, as does the pool on its roof.”
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TYPE OF BAG

“Rucksack.”
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FAVOURED BRAND

“Giorgio Armani. To my surprise, I love the beautiful cut of his suits. It feels like you are wearing pure quality.”
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ESSENTIAL WARDROBE ITEM

“My 40 pairs of Nike Elite sneaks. I just cannot wear any other shoe unless I need to be smart. I have all different colours.”
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MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

“Mary 'Dannie' Tillman or Eva Mendes.”
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STYLE ICON

“David Beckham. As much as one would like to say it isn't so, he always looks amazing.”
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STYLE TIP

“Don't scrimp. If you want to look good/smart, you have to spend real money buying your clothes.”
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BEST SHIRT BRAND

“ Richard James . Stylish, comfortable, bold.”
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FAVOURITE SUIT

“Giorgio Armani.”
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CUT OF TROUSERS

“Jeans.”

JEANS BRAND

“Club Monaco and Levi's Vintage Clothing 501.”
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UNDERWEAR CHOICE

“American Apparel boxer briefs.”
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PREFERRED JACKET STYLE

“Classic blazer style.”

SHOE MAKER

“Nike Elite.”

FAVOURITE GROOMING PRODUCT

“Rausch avocado shampoo. Find it, try it, then ask me again.”

DREAM CAR

“Anything hybrid or electric. But not a G Wiz.”
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WATCH BRAND

“Breitling and Vintage Vacheron Constantin when I'm being even smarter.”

ESSENTIAL GADGET

“BlackBerry”

BEST BOOK

“A Fine Balance. Beauty, tragedy and love. It's a stunning, powerful, devastating read.”

FAVOURITE ALBUM

“Sign Of The Times. He's the Mozart of our generation.”

Brands Favoured by Mr Battsek