Mike Mills Box Set Reveals Career Evolution

The Criterion Collection has released "I'll Remind You of Everything: The Films of Mike Mills," a box set featuring director-approved 4K digital masters of his recent films: "Beginners" (2010), "20th Century Women" (2016), and "C'mon C'mon" (2021).

This collection expands beyond his autobiographical features to include his earlier shorts, music videos, and documentaries. These works illustrate his development from an East Village graphic designer to a critically acclaimed auteur.

Mills reflects on his pre-"Beginners" career, detailing his transition from graphic design and record covers to music video direction. He discusses how early influences like Charles and Ray Eames' shorts and Errol Morris' "The Thin Blue Line" shaped his cinematic approach.

The box set explores his stylistic evolution, including his early documentary "Deformer" and the music video "All I Need" for Air. These pieces showcase his distinctive use of objects, places, and a unique blend of documentary and narrative techniques.

Mills also touches upon his upcoming projects, indicating a departure from his previous work while maintaining his core interest in family relationships and human connection. The set's title, "I'll Remind You of Everything," is drawn from a line in "C'mon C'mon," reflecting the central themes of memory and connection.

The release highlights the importance of documentary filmmaking in Mills' career and his ongoing pursuit of authentic presence in his work, drawing parallels to photographers like William Eggleston and Robert Frank.