A memorable opening scene can make a great first impression on a moviegoer. As they stare at the screen, willing to be hooked on the images projected (or streamed), the audience wants to give themselves over to the allure of the sound and imagery that hopefully is on the path to enveloping them. Some opening scenes tell a completely isolated story in their own right, while others provide a jumpstart for the narrative that has yet to unfold. Some play an important role in shaping or recontextualizing the conclusion of the story, while others showcase alluring designs while text acknowledging the filmmakers fill out the corners of the screen.
Bringing movie lovers together in a digital space for community and conversation, this week’s edition of our Community Corner asks what your favorite opening scene in a film is. Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood) and Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Inglorious Basterds) were the directors most often named, while Ingmar Bergman’s Persona, David Lynch’s Blue Velvet, Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan, and Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard were the films most often cited.
Film at Lincoln Center’s theaters have reopened, welcoming moviegoers back to our theaters for the first time in over a year. Though we were able to connect our cinema community to Film at Lincoln Center programming through the launch of our FLC Virtual Cinema, which will continue to provide access to films nationwide, there’s nothing quite like seeing a movie with fellow patrons (socially distanced!) illuminated only by the glow of the big screen. As we’re currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of New Directors/New FilmsĀ check out this year’s lineup to find your new favorite beginning.
See what’s playing and coming soon in our theaters and the FLC Virtual Cinema, and familiarize yourself with our reopening health and safety protocols. Stay connected to Film at Lincoln Center by joining our online community on Instagram,Ā Twitter, Facebook, or Letterboxd, and don’t miss a thing by subscribing to the weekly newsletter.
An obvious choice, but… pic.twitter.com/H4DJDdHTcu
— Professor Jenny, MFA (@FilmJen) May 1, 2021
Dressed to Kill (1980) pic.twitter.com/qhY3JQ2A6y
— Screen & Heard (@ScreenAndHeard) April 30, 2021
— Allen Sowersby (@allenjsowersby) May 1, 2021
— BlackToad (@BlackToad3) May 1, 2021
— Globertron š (@globertron) April 30, 2021
The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019) pic.twitter.com/Z7lkpfoce4
— Maggie Hennefeld (@magshenny) April 30, 2021
— Chozo (@Chojinzoku) April 30, 2021
Kiss Me Deadly pic.twitter.com/bRHdpz8r4h
— David Kuhne (@D_Khunne) May 1, 2021
— Jim Mac š (@jimefc81) April 30, 2021
— Santiago del Paso (@stgodp) May 1, 2021
No country for old men.
— Noor Hashem (@hashem_afg) May 1, 2021
— Rogeršµš (@AbabonRoger) May 1, 2021
Chungking Express pic.twitter.com/749MZvWUsu
— Will Tarica (@wtarica4) April 30, 2021
The opening to Tony Scottās The Hunger is still an all timer. https://t.co/Qw6bD6XM3o pic.twitter.com/nyEO2hKARJ
— Scott (@marioistluigist) May 2, 2021
War is love https://t.co/afpFc87Paw pic.twitter.com/1rkRVB83Si
— šā¢ļø submarine queen ā¢ļøš (@BabaMegana) May 2, 2021
Favorite opening scenes in all of cinema (no particular order) https://t.co/TJFs07w7Fj pic.twitter.com/jy3gvOf6Us
— Tyler L. Banark (@tybanarkmovies) May 1, 2021
https://t.co/ePvmZhpID1 pic.twitter.com/YJrZyq6jzy
— Josh Beavin (@jdbeavin) May 1, 2021
— Wildebeest (@raqueldowd) May 1, 2021
Do you have more suggestions to add to the list? Share with us onĀ Twitter,Ā Instagram,Ā andĀ Facebook, and stay tuned for more conversations on cinema.