I have a one-track mind. That's all that I'm interested in - love. And the lack of it. When it stops.
John CassavetesRead
I’m very worried about the depiction of women on the screen. It’s gotten worse than ever and it’s related to their being either high- or low-class concubines, and the only question is when or where they will go to bed, with whom, and how many. There’s nothing to do with the dreams of women, or of woman as the dream, nothing to do with the quirky part of her, the wonder of her.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the simplistic and objectifying portrayals of women in media.
John Cassavetes expresses deep concern over the increasingly negative and reductive representations of women in film. He argues that contemporary portrayals often reduce women to mere objects defined by their sexual encounters or social class, neglecting their complexities, aspirations, and unique qualities that contribute to their identity and dreams.
Themes
WomenMediaRepresentationCinemaIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
A filmmaker discussing the importance of authentic female representation in a panel.
More from John Cassavetes
All quotes →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.
John CassavetesRead
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.
John CassavetesRead
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.
John CassavetesRead
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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