There's a belonging problem in Hollywood. Who dictates who belongs? The very body who dictates that looks all one way.
Ava DuvernayRead
I think that if we really want to break it down, that non-black filmmakers have had many, many years and many, many opportunities to tell many, many stories about themselves, and black filmmakers have not had as many years, as many opportunities, as many films to explore the nuances of our reality.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the disparity in opportunities for storytelling between black and non-black filmmakers.
Ava Duvernay's quote highlights the historical imbalance in the film industry, where non-black filmmakers have been afforded numerous opportunities to share their narratives, while black filmmakers have faced significant barriers, resulting in fewer films that capture the complexities of their experiences. This observation calls for greater recognition and support for diverse voices in filmmaking to enrich the storytelling landscape.
Themes
FilmmakingDiversityStorytellingOpportunityBlack Filmmakers
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about representation in the film industry during a panel.
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
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