You see, in this world there is one awful thing, and that is that everyone has his reasons.
Jean RenoirRead
A film director is not a creator, but a midwife. His business is to deliver the actor of a child that he did not know he had inside him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The director's role is to help actors realize their potential rather than create something from nothing.
This quote by Jean Renoir emphasizes the transformative role of a film director in the creative process. Instead of merely imposing their vision onto the actors, the director's task is to draw out the hidden talents and emotions within the actors, akin to the process of a midwife assisting in childbirth. It suggests that great art is often a collaboration where the director facilitates the natural expression of the actor's abilities.
Themes
DirectorArtCreativityActingTheatre
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be mentioned during a film panel discussion to highlight the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
More from Jean Renoir
All quotes →To the question, ‘Is the cinema an art?’ my answer is, ‘what does it matter?’... You can make films or you can cultivate a garden. Both have as much claim to being called an art as a poem by Verlaine or a painting by Delacroix… Art is ‘making.’ The art of poetry is the art of making poetry. The art of love is the art of making love... My father never talked to me about art. He could not bear the word.
Jean RenoirRead
A director makes only one movie in his life. Then he breaks it into pieces and makes it again.
Jean RenoirRead
The real hell of life is that everyone has his reasons.
Jean RenoirRead
I believe that perfection handicaps cinema.
Jean RenoirRead
A Director Makes Only One Movie in His Life. Then He Breaks It Into Pieces and Makes It Again.
Jean RenoirRead
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