London

Directed numerous films set in London that captured the city's atmospheric streets and wartime drama, most famously 'Casablanca' which, while set elsewhere, showcased his mastery of urban noir aesthetics later applied to London-set works.

As a British director, Lean intimately portrayed London's character in films like 'In Which We Serve' and 'Oliver Twist,' using the city as both setting and character to explore British identity.

His film 'Blow-Up' (1966) uses swinging 1960s London as a character itself, exploring the city's youth culture, modernity, and mysterious urban landscape with visual precision.