Well, no. You stated it was list of films someone enjoyed.

But that's not what it is. It's a list that one of the top living film directors on the planet thinks that directing students at one of the leading film schools in the world should watch.

That's a different thing entirely.

Each one of these films has things directors can learn from by just watching them. Film being a visual medium and all.

Sure, some lectures can provide context, but the movies themselves are the actual content.