For a long time, I bought into the idea that if you are a woman who is a storyteller and a lover of movies, then the best way to express that is as an actress. Obviously, there are women my age who are directors who didn't buy into that idea, but I did - and now I've broken that down inside myself.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a journey of self-discovery regarding the role of women in storytelling and filmmaking.
Maggie Gyllenhaal reflects on her personal journey of initially conforming to the stereotype that the best way for a woman who loves storytelling and film is to become an actress. Over time, she recognized that there are indeed multiple avenues for women in film, including directing, and she has begun to break free from the limitations she once accepted.
In practice
In a speech about women's empowerment in the arts, you could use this quote to emphasize the importance of breaking traditional stereotypes.
The groove is so mysterious. We're born with it and we lose it and the world seems to split apart before our eyes into stupid and cool. When we get it back, the world unifies around us, and both stupid and cool fall away. I am grateful to those who are keepers of the groove. The babies and the grandmas who hang on to it and help us remember when we forget that any kind of dancing is better than no dancing at all.
What bothered me was playing one-dimensional parts in films which were really about, 'Boy Meets Girl,' 'Will Boy Get Girl?'
In the traditional Islamic world, the hierarchy of the arts was not based on whether they were "fine" or "industrial" or "minor". It was based upon the effect of art on the soul of the human being.
Beauty never slumbers; All is in her name; But the rose remembers The dust from which it came.
The short story is an imploding universe. It has all the boil of energy inside it. A novel has shrapnel going all over the place. You can have a mistake in a novel. A short story has to be perfect.
I have only one rule in acting - trust the director and give him heart and soul.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.