'Opening Night' (1977)

John Cassavetes was the undisputed father of the American independent cinema movement, shooting handheld on the streets of New York for his directional debut 'Shadows' in 1959.

He funded his films by starring in hits such as 'Rosemary's Baby' but his greatest success came in starring with and directing his wife Gena Rowlands. The final scenes of 'Opening Night' create genuine chemistry as they play two actors improvising onstage.