The 27 minute precursor to "Heavy" (1995) made under the mentorship of Miloš Forman, Mangold very focused on expression versus dialogue, especially in the character of Victor; Mangold stated that he was striving to create a "silent film, with sound." Peter Bogdanovich's The Last Picture Show (1971) and Martin Ritt's Hud (1963) served as specific influences.
