George Lucas: American Graffiti (1973)

First there was The Graduate (1967) and then there was the rest of the graduate’s life. The story of a one-night stand set in 1962, George Lucas’s second film was nominated for five Oscars, including those for best film, best director and best screenplay. This is a special road movie as its young protagonists do not make it out onto the open highway – they cruise around town. The dramaturgy is also highly original. The last night of the summer holidays is a watershed moment for these youngsters. Some are heading for college the next day and others are staying to live out the rest of their lives as adults. A farewell and a new beginning. Musically, too, as the famous DJ Wolfman Jack spins the biggest hits of the day on the car radios throughout the film. 41 of them, to be precise.