'Doin' It' Director Sara Zandieh Shares Her Watchlist

Well, I made a high school movie so I'm going to start out with a couple of my favorite high school movies. I am a big John Hughes fan. 'The Breakfast Club' is one of my favorite high school movies. It’s so warm and insightful, and it’s just one of the funniest movies about the inner lives of teenagers. That’s something I always keep in mind when making a high school movie.

Just such a fun, iconic movie that’s been ingrained in my brain from growing up.

I make a lot of comedies, different kinds of comedies, but I love me a good rom-com. 'Annie Hall' is one of my favorite romcoms. I love really autobiographical filmmaking. It’s such a specific movie. I love that it has tragedy and there’s a messiness to it. The performances are just so memorable. It’s not totally linear, but you remember the scenes and you remember the performance beats. And it’s just so romantic and I love that it doesn’t have a happy ending.

Absolutely iconic. There’s a little bit of a cultural component. I grew up in an Iranian family and I remember seeing her Italian family and feeling very similar. I just loved that it was about a woman breaking with tradition and kind of pushing herself past her own limits. And the chemistry is so fantastic between Cher and Nicolas Cage and her family. I really remember them and love the culture clash in it.

'The Lady Eve' is one of my favorite older screwball comedies. I think Barbara Stanwyck is such a comedic genius.

'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' is my favorite musical ever made. What I love about it is not just that it’s a tragedy, but I like that they sing throughout the movie. They don’t break into dialogue, and then break into song. The entire movie is sung. The music is so good, and the performances … Catherine Denueve is so iconic.

It’s such a great family dramedy. I love stories about family and I just remember all of those characters so vividly even though it’s been years since I’ve seen it.

My parents are from Iran so I’m gonna mention my favorite Iranian film. That movie renders the Iranian sensibility. It’s very sad and tragic, but also very funny. I think tonally it’s such an incredible film in how it mixes documentary and narrative. It’s totally genius. The story behind the making of that film is so incredible.

I love Giulietta Masina. I love movies with comedic female leads, like the one I just made! Lilly Singh is so funny and I love seeing comedic performances from really strong female leads.

One of the funniest comedic gems in recent memory! Hilarious through and through. The scenes at the bridal shop and on the airplane are unforgettable. The female ensemble delivers comedy performances that are simply incredible.