James Gray
James Gray
across create director environment given moments truth within
What I do have to get across is the truth of the moment within the given scene. It's my job, as a director and screenwriter, to create the environment in which all those moments will come together eventually.
films themes using
There's never really been a tradition of making films about Jewish themes or using Judaism as a constant.
concepts mood narrative personal start
I start with a mood or an idea that comes from a personal place emotionally, and the narrative concepts come much later.
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I've been a Yankees fan for a long time. When I was a kid in the mid-'70s, the Yankees were really great. They had Reggie Jackson in '77. I was 8 years old at the time. He hit three home runs to win the World Series in game six against the Dodgers, and I was just hooked.
inherently itself lends love romantic state
The state of being in love is so inherently preposterous. It usually lends itself to romantic comedy. I think we've all been there.
concept filmmakers property studio system work
The system is not really particularly amenable to filmmakers who write and direct their own work. It's much more about the studio already having a property that has a marketable concept and then hiring the director on board.
disservice emotion mean means misused terrible word
The word 'operatic' is often misused to mean over the top, where someone is over-emoting. And that does a terrible disservice because 'operatic' to me means a commitment and a belief to the emotion of the moment that is sincere.
forget material sad truth whatsoever
The sad truth for American actors is that they really have no control whatsoever over the material that they get, or can do, particularly actresses. And if you're over 40 and you're an actress, forget it.
act ego great happen hoping learned love people predict
I've learned that you can never predict what will happen to a film. You can never predict if people will love it, if they'll hate it. It's an act of ego if you're hoping for everyone to love the film and tell you how great you are.
facts pleased stayed
They stayed with the facts, and we're very pleased with it,
comedies romantic
Americans have always been excellent at making romantic comedies - but dramatically, we don't really try to do it.
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Anyone who starts badmouthing Latino immigrants is not only a racist but ignorant. You need to refer them to what was written about the Irish, the Jews, the Italians, any group you want.
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Devils and monster faces and skulls and things like that are pretty consistent with somebody having a lot of hate in their hearts,
attempt definitive enduring integral poses provide
'Apocalypse Now' poses questions without any attempt to provide definitive answers, and the film's profound ambiguities are integral to its enduring magic.