I love the idea of thinking of cinema as not that far from music. A lot of my favourite movie makers, the way they move their cameras or the way they cut just feel very musical - even if the movies have no music in them at all.
Damien ChazelleRead
It's easy to show terrible people's behavior on screen, and we all just kind of nod and go, 'Isn't that terrible.' It's more interesting when you can show terrible behavior in the interest of something good.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the complexity of human behavior, suggesting that showcasing negative actions can serve a greater purpose.
Damien Chazelle highlights the idea that while depicting immoral actions is simple and often elicits a negative response from viewers, the narrative becomes more compelling when such behavior is framed as part of a larger, more admirable goal. This invites viewers to engage with the moral complexities of human nature and the motivations that drive individuals to commit both good and bad actions.
Themes
BehaviorMoralityArtNarrativeComplexity
In practice
Example use cases
In a film critique discussing character complexity, this quote could illustrate the depth of storytelling.
More from Damien Chazelle
All quotes →Going back to my film education, I always have that voice in my head that's always screaming, 'Sell out!' And that's good: you want that, because it keeps you on your toes, and it's important to remember what's actually important.
Damien ChazelleRead
'Whiplash' scared me. I feel you should only do projects that scare you to some degree. I get motivated by those sorts of feelings.
Damien ChazelleRead
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