Hawks’ self-serious pragmatism transformed into an existential romanticism (that he’d surely deny).

Only Angels Have Wings (1939) by Howard Hawks

Closed Curtain is a failed work, as Panahi clearly depicts with the narrative breakdown and frustration. Once you’ve accepted the failure of the film, then you can slowly work towards understanding it.

Closed Curtain (2013) by Jafar Panahi

Lubitsch moves between all of his key themes in the opening minutes. Deception to Seduction — Embarrassment to Argument — Simplicity to Camaraderie. The Americans abroad are united by the simplest of gestures among a web of actions and motives.

Design for Living (1933) by Ernst Lubitsch