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Everyone who makes a film is at the major distributors' mercy.
John Cassavetes
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Filmmakers often depend on distributors for the success of their films.

John Cassavetes highlights the inherent vulnerability in the film industry, where creators must rely on major distributors to promote and distribute their work. This dependency can dictate the fate of their artistic vision, emphasizing the challenging dynamics between artistic expression and commercial interests.

Themes

FilmDistributorsCreativityArtistic VisionVulnerability

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the challenges filmmakers face in the industry, this quote can underline the reliance on distribution.

More from John Cassavetes

I have a one-track mind. That's all that I'm interested in - love. And the lack of it. When it stops.
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I like to act in films, I like to shoot 'em, I like to direct 'em, I like to be around 'em. I like the feel of it and it's something I respect. It doesn't make any difference whether it's a crappy film or a good film. Anyone who can make a film, I already love. But I feel sorry if they don't put any thought in it because then they missed the boat.
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There is no reason why a serious film, one about life, can't be enjoyable, maybe even fun. Emotions can be very entertaining, you know. I try to use them generously in my films.
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My parents allowed their two sons to be individuals. My family was a wild and wonderful place, with lots of friends and neighbors visiting and talking loud and eating loud and nobody telling the children to be quiet or putting them down.
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There's a difference between ad-libbing and improvising. And there's a difference between not knowing what to do and just saying something. Or making choices as an actor. As a writer also, as a person who's making a film, as a cameraman, everything is a choice. And it seems to me I don't really have to direct anyone or write down that somebody's getting drunk; all I have to do is say that there's a bottle there and put a bottle there and then they're going to get drunk.
John CassavetesRead
As an artist, I feel that we must try many things - but above all we must dare to fail.
John CassavetesRead

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