There's a belonging problem in Hollywood. Who dictates who belongs? The very body who dictates that looks all one way.
Ava DuvernayRead
We're told that independent film lovers... folks that are used to watching art house films, won't come out and see a film with black people in it - I've been told that in rooms, big rooms, studio rooms, and I know that's not true.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote challenges the stereotype that audiences interested in independent films are not willing to watch films featuring black characters.
Ava Duvernay discusses her experiences in the film industry, highlighting the misconceptions held by some decision-makers about audience preferences. She asserts that the belief that independent film enthusiasts will not appreciate films with black narratives is unfounded and calls for a broader recognition of audience diversity and openness.
Themes
Independent FilmAudienceDiversityNarrativesArt House
In practice
Example use cases
During a film festival discussion about diversity in cinema.
More from Ava Duvernay
All quotes →I just don't think there's a lot of support for the woman's voice in cinema, and it becomes really difficult to raise that money and start again every time.
Ava DuvernayRead
I didn't go to film school. I got my education on the set as a niche publicist in the film industry.
Ava DuvernayRead
I think for female filmmakers a big issue is making their second and third films.
Ava DuvernayRead
When we say there's a dearth of women directors, it's not that there's a lack of women who direct: it's a lack of opportunities and access for women to direct and be supported in that.
Ava DuvernayRead
I intend to be making films until I'm an old lady. So, if God willing I get there, I need to create a paradigm for myself where I can make it regardless of whether or not they still like what I'm making.
Ava DuvernayRead
Similar quotes
Howard Hughes was this visionary who was obsessed with speed and flying like a god... I loved his idea of what filmmaking was.
Martin ScorseseRead
I've spent so much of my life examining the smallest details. In some ways, it's where I feel most at home. For me, it's super-important to understand all of the different nuances of light and shade. But if you can't paint in primary colours, no one's going to listen to your songs, because they need to feel like something.
Jacob CollierRead
I've loved every minute I've spent in television. And I've had much more failure, as traditionally measured, than success in television. I've done four shows, and only one of them was the 'West Wing.'
Aaron SorkinRead
Film is an emotional medium; it's not a logical medium. It's not an intellectual medium, so every decision you make as a filmmaker and an actor has to be emotional in some way, even in the rejection of logic.
Paul HaggisRead
Most people read poetry listening for echoes because the echoes are familiar to them. They wade through it the way a boy wades through water, feeling with his toes for the bottom: The echoes are the bottom.
Wallace StevensRead
When I have worries, fears or a love affair, I have the luck of being able to transform it into a poem.
Mario BenedettiRead