Dafnis kai Hloi (1931)
director: Orestis Laskos
This Greek silent film, directed by Orestis Laskos, is based on Longus’ ancient tale Daphnis et Chloé. Laskos stays remarkably faithful to the original story, recreating landscapes and period costumes with striking accuracy. Scenes featuring the bandit attack and the Mithymnians were left out—purely for budgetary reasons. Dafnis kai Hloi is considered the first European film to include genuine nudity. While some critics labelled it pornographic, the intimate scenes serve a narrative purpose, not a provocative one.
Casablanca (1942)
director: Michael Curtiz
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman portray lovers torn apart by war in occupied Paris. He flees to Casablanca and opens a nightclub. One day, she unexpectedly walks in... with her husband. Casablanca is a timeless tale of impossible love and the heartbreak it brings, set against a backdrop of war, idealism, and moral ambiguity - all to the melancholic strains of As Time Goes By on piano.
Les Amants (1958)
director: Louis Malle
Jeanne Moreau plays Jeanne Tournier, a beautiful woman trapped in a loveless marriage with a wealthy publisher. Everything changes when she suddenly falls for polo player Raoul Flores. What begins as a platonic connection unfolds into a tale that simmers with desire. Les Amants, based on the novella Point de lendemain by Vivant Denon, echoes Daphnis et Chloé in its portrayal of innocent love and sexual awakening in an idyllic setting.
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West Side Story (1961)
directors: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise
Set in 1957 Manhattan, two street gangs clash—but love blossoms between Maria, a Puerto Rican girl, and Tony, a boy from the rival side. West Side Story is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, reimagined as a musical with unforgettable songs by Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein. The film was a sensation, winning ten Oscars in 1962, including Best Picture and Best Score.
Up (2009)
director: Pete Docter
Pixar’s Up shows us what true love looks like. In the heartwarming prologue Married Life, we journey through the shared life of childhood sweethearts Carl and Ellie. Michael Giacchino’s cheerful melody gently evolves, capturing the deepening emotions over time. Up becomes an emotional adventure story about love, loss, and letting go—perfect for all ages.
Call Me by Your Name (2017)
director: Luca Guadagnino
In sun-drenched Northern Italy, love quietly blossoms between two young men. Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name captures passion not through grand gestures but in small, tender moments and glances. Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer deliver restrained yet powerful performances that bring a deeply personal and universally resonant love story to life. A poignant reminder of how love, even fleeting, can shape us forever.
