El banquete de los genios is a work by journalist and novelist Manuel Hidalgo that pays tribute to Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel. The book focuses on a historic gathering in November 1972, when director George Cukor organized a luncheon at his Beverly Hills mansion to honor Buñuel. Attendees included prominent filmmakers such as John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, Rouben Mamoulian, Robert Mulligan, George Stevens, Billy Wilder, Robert Wise, and William Wyler. Although Fritz Lang couldn't attend due to illness, he met with Buñuel the following day. Shortly after, Buñuel won the Oscar for "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie."