There's a belonging problem in Hollywood. Who dictates who belongs? The very body who dictates that looks all one way.
Ava DuvernayRead
In documentaries, there's a truth that unfolds unnaturally, and you get to chronicle it. In narratives, you have to create the situations so that the truth will come out.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Documentaries reveal truths as they happen, while narratives must be crafted to expose those truths.
Ava Duvernay highlights the difference between documentaries and narrative storytelling. Documentaries capture real-life truths as they naturally occur, allowing the unfolding events to speak for themselves. In contrast, narrative storytelling requires the creator to intentionally design situations and contexts that will lead to the revelation of deeper truths, emphasizing the craft of storytelling in shaping how audiences receive these insights.
Themes
TruthStorytellingDocumentaryNarrativeArt
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a filmmaking workshop to discuss the role of truth in different genres.
More from Ava Duvernay
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I didn't go to film school. I got my education on the set as a niche publicist in the film industry.
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I think for female filmmakers a big issue is making their second and third films.
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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.
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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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