Killing a man in defense of an idea is not defending an idea; it is killing a man.
Jean-Luc GodardRead
American pictures usually have no subject, only a story. A pretty woman is not a subject. Julia Roberts doing this and that is not a subject.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Art is not solely about subjects but rather the stories they tell.
Jean-Luc Godard's quote emphasizes that in American cinema, the focus is often on narrative rather than the characters or subjects themselves. He argues that elements like a beautiful woman or a famous actor performing actions do not constitute a meaningful subject; instead, the essence lies in the storytelling aspects that elevate the film's artistic value.
Themes
ArtCinemaStorytellingNarrativeCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
During a film critique, you might quote this to highlight the importance of storytelling in cinema.
More from Jean-Luc Godard
All quotes →I don't think you should feel about a film. You should feel about a woman, not a movie. You can't kiss a movie.
Jean-Luc GodardRead
Sometime reality is too complex. Stories give it form.
Jean-Luc GodardRead
More or less, I am always saying, 'Give me more. Let's do what has not been done.'
Jean-Luc GodardRead
Objects exist and if one pays more attention to them than to people, it is precisely because they exist more than the people. Dead objects are still alive. Living people are often already dead.
Jean-Luc GodardRead
Cinema is not a series of abstract ideas, but rather the phrasing of moments.
Jean-Luc GodardRead
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