Robert Bernard Altman ( AWLT-mən; February 20, 1925 – November 20, 2006) was an American filmmaker. He is considered an enduring figure from the New Hollywood era, known for directing subversive and satirical films with overlapping dialogue and ensemble casts. Over his career he received numerous accolades including an Academy Honorary Award, two BAFTAs, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe as well as nominations for seven competitive Academy Awards.
I put a screening of 'Rules of the Game' by Jean Renoir up for everybody in the cast and crew. This is the benchmark of what we're going for, as far as I'm concerned, a modern 'Rules of the Game.'
I used to show my crews Renoir's 'Rules of the Game' to show them how I wanted to work, how I wanted things to happen.
It has to do with films like RULES OF THE GAME, where the characters are all in the same environment and all have different things to do at the same time.
Altman cites Luis Buñuel's surrealist fantasies The Exterminating Angel (1962) and L'Age d'Or (1930) as influences on the film.