João’s score is a great example of how minimalism can carry immense emotional weight. His use of solo piano and subtle string accompaniment reflects the fragility and warmth of the story. The delicate inter-play between melody and silence taught me the importance of restraint in evoking deep feelings. Gonzalez’s approach inspired me to focus on the expressive power of single instruments, allowing space for the music to breathe and connect with the visuals. Simplicity, when paired with intention, resonates profoundly with audiences.

Levi’s score left an indelible mark on me. Its unsettling blend of alien textures and raw string glissandi perfectly mirrors the protagonist’s otherworldly perspective. The "Walk to the Void" scene particularly struck me; the microtonal slides and eerie dissonance creates a soundscape that peels away reality. Levi’s use of extended string techniques and integrated sound design taught me to embrace imperfection and texture. Inspired by Levi’s work, I experimented with scraping techniques and microtonality in “Blood Moon” from my first album.

The score for Mary Magdalene is a masterclass in emotional subtlety and textural beauty. Guðnadóttir and Jóhannsson use minimalism and drone-like layers to evoke a profound spiritual depth. The restrained use of cello and vocal textures creates a meditative atmosphere, particularly in the track "The Mustard Seed." The score taught me how simplicity can be profoundly moving when imbued with intention. Inspired by their work, I’ve explored sparse instrumentation and layered harmonies to underscore my composition “The Abyss”.

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s score for The Handmaid’s Tale is a beautiful exploration of both control and resistance. His minimalist piano themes and subtle electronic textures create an atmosphere of quiet despair and underlying hope. The restrained use of melody in pieces like “Offred’s Theme” amplifies the emotional weight of the story. Sakamoto’s ability to evoke profound emotion with sparse arrangements inspired me to embrace subtlety and space in my works. 

The introspection of Clint Mansell’s score for Moon perfectly reflects the film’s themes of isolation and existentialism. The recurring piano motif in “Welcome to Lunar Industries” is both melancholic and mechanical, mirroring the protagonist’s loneliness and routine. Mansell’s subtle layering of electronic textures with orchestral elements creates emotional depth. This score taught me the power of restraint and repetition, where small variations in a theme can evoke profound shifts in feeling.

Kenji Kawai’s score for Ghost in the Shell perfectly mirrors the film’s exploration of identity and consciousness. The fusion of traditional Japanese instrumentation with synthetic textures, particularly in the opening theme "Making of a Cyborg," creates an otherworldly, timeless atmosphere. The hypnotic use of taiko drums and layered vocals inspired me to experiment with minimalist structures and cyclical motifs. Kawai’s ability to evoke both ancient and futuristic tones taught me the power of contrast in storytelling.

Abel Korzeniowski’s score for The Nun is an exploration of tension and atmosphere. His use of ominous, layered strings and haunting choral motifs creates a palpable sense of dread. The track “Hanging Nun” exemplifies his ability to balance beauty and terror, with delicate melodies giving way to intense crescendos. This score taught me how to build suspense through evolving harmonic layers and stark dynamic contrasts. Inspired by Korzeniowski, I’ve explored blending sacred choral textures with dissonant electronics in my piece “Avril”.

The Shining remains a benchmark in psychological horror scoring. Avant-garde compositions, like "De Natura Sonoris," use dissonance, atonality, and extended string techniques to evoke an unsettling atmosphere. The music’s creeping tension and chaotic climaxes amplify the film’s sense of madness. Penderecki’s use of clusters and microtonal glissandi taught me to use texture and space over melody to create unease. Drawing from Penderecki’s work, I incorporated techniques like aleatoric layering, in my compositions for the theatre piece “ARRIVAL”.

Jóhann’s score is an otherworldly sonic journey, blending orchestral minimalism with eerie electronics. Hypnotic textures and sustained harmonics create a timeless, meditative atmosphere that perfectly complements its dystopian visuals. The use of microtonal shifts and layered brass harmonies in "A Minor Astronomical Event" inspired me to experiment with slow, evolving textures. This score taught me how to convey vastness and introspection simultaneously, emphasising restraint to evoke a sense of cosmic scale and existential wonder.

Fatima Al Qadiri’s score for Atlantics skilfully captures the film’s themes of love, loss, and migration. Her use of synthesiser textures and minimalistic motifs creates a soundscape that feels both intimate and spectral. Tracks like “Souleiman’s Theme” showcase her ability to blur the lines between the physical and spiritual realms. Al Qadiri’s innovative use of repetition and layered electronic elements inspired me to explore how subtle, evolving textures can convey deep emotional resonance, such as in my piece “Vier”.