I used to agonise over what to do next, but now I'm making a movie a year. It's insane, but it's only a movie after all. You just hang in there, and occasionally you might make something which you can call art... briefly.
Ridley ScottRead
In film, it's very important to not allow yourself to get sentimental, which, being British, I try to avoid. People sometimes regard sentimentality as emotion. It is not. Sentimentality is unearned emotion.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Sentimentality in film is often confused with genuine emotion, but it lacks authenticity.
In this quote, Ridley Scott emphasizes the importance of avoiding sentimentality in filmmaking, which he views as an inauthentic expression of emotion that doesn't resonate deeply with audiences. He distinguishes between true emotional connections and those that are simply manipulative or unearned, suggesting that a good film should evoke genuine feelings without resorting to over-sentimental or cliché moments.
Themes
FilmEmotionSentimentalityArtAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a film class discussing the balance between emotion and manipulation in storytelling.
More from Ridley Scott
All quotes →The best stories come out of the truth.
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In my view, the only way to see a film remains the way the filmmaker intended: inside a large movie theater with great sound and pristine picture.
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I think over time I've learned to stop being a screamer and get interactive; otherwise, you get killed in Hollywood. I stopped being a screamer shortly after 'Blade Runner,' kicking doors and things like that, because I wasn't actually getting anywhere.
Ridley ScottRead
I've gradually realised that what I do best is universes. And I shouldn't be afraid of that.
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Everyone is tearing each other apart in the name of their personal god. And the irony is, by definition, they're probably worshiping the same god.
Ridley ScottRead
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