I have a one-track mind. That's all that I'm interested in - love. And the lack of it. When it stops.
John CassavetesRead
Most people don't know what they want or feel. And for everyone, myself included, It's very difficult to say what you mean when what you mean is painful. The most difficult thing in the world is to reveal yourself, to express what you have to... As an artist, I feel that we must try many things - but above all, we must dare to fail. You must have the courage to be bad - to be willing to risk everything to really express it all.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the challenges of self-expression and the courage needed to be authentic, especially in artistic endeavors.
John Cassavetes highlights the struggle many face in understanding and articulating their true feelings and desires, particularly when those feelings are painful. He advocates for the courage to express oneself, even if it means risking failure, as a vital part of the artistic process. The essence of art is to explore and confront difficult emotions, reflecting the importance of vulnerability and honesty in creativity.
Themes
Self-ExpressionCourageArtistryVulnerabilityFailure
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in an art class to inspire students to embrace their creativity regardless of the outcome.
More from John Cassavetes
All quotes →I like to act in films, I like to shoot 'em, I like to direct 'em, I like to be around 'em. I like the feel of it and it's something I respect. It doesn't make any difference whether it's a crappy film or a good film. Anyone who can make a film, I already love. But I feel sorry if they don't put any thought in it because then they missed the boat.
John CassavetesRead
There is no reason why a serious film, one about life, can't be enjoyable, maybe even fun. Emotions can be very entertaining, you know. I try to use them generously in my films.
John CassavetesRead
My parents allowed their two sons to be individuals. My family was a wild and wonderful place, with lots of friends and neighbors visiting and talking loud and eating loud and nobody telling the children to be quiet or putting them down.
John CassavetesRead
There's a difference between ad-libbing and improvising. And there's a difference between not knowing what to do and just saying something. Or making choices as an actor. As a writer also, as a person who's making a film, as a cameraman, everything is a choice. And it seems to me I don't really have to direct anyone or write down that somebody's getting drunk; all I have to do is say that there's a bottle there and put a bottle there and then they're going to get drunk.
John CassavetesRead
As an artist, I feel that we must try many things - but above all we must dare to fail.
John CassavetesRead
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