Art is inherently political. Even trying to make a film that has nothing to do with politics is, in and of itself, a political act.
Barry JenkinsRead
'Moonlight' is a story that hasn't been told. Whether placed as queer black cinema or urban male cinema, the lack of coming-of-age films featuring people like Chiron and set in places like inner-city Miami is pronounced and unfortunate.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the need for diverse storytelling in cinema, particularly for marginalized identities.
Barry Jenkins emphasizes the importance of representation in film through his observation about 'Moonlight', noting that stories like that of Chiron—a queer Black individual in inner-city Miami—are often overlooked in mainstream cinema. Jenkins points out the absence of coming-of-age films that reflect the realities and experiences of people from diverse backgrounds, advocating for greater inclusivity in storytelling.
Themes
RepresentationDiversityCinemaStorytellingMarginalization
In practice
Example use cases
In discussions about film festivals focusing on diverse films.
More from Barry Jenkins
All quotes →It's interesting because I think class is a heavy, heavy part of 'Moonlight,' and I think, in a certain way, through the sum of all these parts, it's become a commentary on the black experience in America.
Barry JenkinsRead
I have friends who I consider my peers, who have done amazing work, particularly in the film and television space, who came up as independent artists and who have been - to be brutally honest - much more prolific than I was able to be.
Barry JenkinsRead
As a writer, a blank page will humble the hell out of you. It always does, and it always will.
Barry JenkinsRead
Cinema is a little over 100 years old, and a lot of what we do is built around film emulsion. Those things were calibrated for white skin. We've always placed powder on skin to dull the light. But my memory of growing up in Miami is this moist, beautiful black skin.
Barry JenkinsRead
'Moonlight' changed me. To see people so moved by this movie inspires me to find something else to offer. And maybe the next one touches only five people or maybe just one person. To me, you know, that would still be worth it.
Barry JenkinsRead
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