It takes a rare artistic genius to create a masterpiece on the first try. Whatever kind of art we speak of, there is of course nothing wrong with groping in the dark in search of greatness. Cinema is certainly no different – the careers of many of history’s most revered film directors resemble a bell curve: they start with works that show unpolished promises, work their way towards something bigger, and then fade away a little like the spark that ignited them begins to spit early.
But not everyone is waiting to make a classic. Some directors, through a rare combination of luck and talent, encounter gold for the first time in the big chair. These 25 memorable debut films may not necessarily be their directors’ best (although in some cases they absolutely are), but each of them shows ample evidence that their helmets have the merchandise. For some of these directors, their first films were the only ones made, while others have built long careers from promising beginnings. However, the most exciting names here are the ones that are just beginning.
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