David Michôd is the mastermind behind the new film, Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney, which is coming to cinemas on November 28 after its initial domestic box office opening.

The critically acclaimed Animal Kingdom director has told the remarkable true story of Christy Martin, from West Virginia, who became one of the most trailblazing and controversial figures in boxing.

“More than anything I loved the idea of making a movie about a woman with a really ferocious personality,” he told Reach titles.

“I just immediately got a sense that there was something about her that is very charismatic that I really liked, then met her and liked her even more – how beautifully vulnerable and kind and funny she is.”

The filmmaker opened up about some of his favourite films of all time, including an “unbelievably overlooked masterpiece”.

The psychological epic war film from 1979 is loosely inspired by the 1899 novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.

The film follows a journey by Captain Willard (Martin Sheen), who is on a secret mission to assassinate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a renegade Special Forces officer who is accused of murder.

David said: “My favourite movie is Apocalypse Now. That movie made me want to make movies.

“I already loved movies but it was Apocalypse Now that made me want to make them. There was something about the giant, crazy adventure of that film.

“I just think it’s amazing. I was talking to someone about it who was reminding me of the fact it wasn’t universally well-reviewed when it was released, which seems insane to me.”

David simply said: “I just think, unbelievably overlooked masterpiece.”

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is an epic Western film from 2007.

Based on Ron Hansen’s 1983 novel of the same name, it stars Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck.

The film depicts the relationship between Jesse James and Robert Ford, focusing on the events that led up to the infamous killing.

Taxi Driver is a 1976 psychological thriller set in New York City following the Vietnam War.

The film stars Robert De Niro as veteran Marine and taxi driver Travis Bickle, whose mental state deteriorates as he works nights in the city.

David said: “Taxi Driver is right up there for me, just so raw and visceral.

“But again, a movie about a character who does monstrous things, but whose vulnerability and brokenness are so right there on the surface.

“I remember when I was writing Animal Kingdom, I showed the script to people, and some of those people would say ‘Your central character isn’t likeable enough’.

“And I’d go ‘Have you seen Taxi Driver? That guy is kind of grotesque but you can feel him and that’s all you need to be able to do.”

Christy is out in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on November 28