Abel Ferrara Quotes

Powerful Abel Ferrara for Daily Growth

About Abel Ferrara

Abel Ferrara, born on July 23, 1951, in The Bronx, New York, is an influential American filmmaker, screenwriter, and actor known for his raw, unflinching style and exploration of controversial themes. Growing up in a devout Roman Catholic family, Ferrara's early life was marked by religious fervor, which later influenced his dark, sometimes sacrilegious films. He attended Fordham University but dropped out to pursue a career in filmmaking. His first foray into the world of cinema was as an actor in low-budget horror movies, where he gained valuable experience before transitioning behind the camera. His directorial debut, "The Last Day of Humankind" (1980), showcased his unique vision and propensity for challenging social norms. However, it was his second film, "Driller Killer" (1979), a low-budget horror about a struggling artist driven to violence by the noise of New York City, that gained widespread attention. Ferrara's breakthrough came with "Bad Lieutenant" (1992), a gritty crime drama starring Harvey Keitel as a corrupt cop battling drug addiction. The film is considered one of Ferrara's most significant works, showcasing his ability to create complex characters and tackle morally ambiguous themes. Other notable works include "King of New York" (1990), a crime thriller starring Christopher Walken, and "Passion of Christ" (2004), a controversial retelling of the life of Jesus Christ. Ferrara's recent films include "Pasolini" (2014) and "Siberia" (2018). Throughout his career, Ferrara has been celebrated for his unorthodox storytelling and fearless exploration of taboo subjects. His films continue to provoke, challenge, and inspire audiences worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Film is a weapon against what's happening."

Abel Ferrara, in this quote, views film as a powerful tool to combat societal issues. By creating films, artists can challenge the status quo, shed light on social injustices, provoke thought, and inspire change. Film serves as a means of expression, activism, and resistance against prevailing problems.

"Art is a way to survive life, it's not about living art."

Abel Ferrara's quote suggests that art is a means for coping with life rather than a lifestyle itself. In essence, he underscores the idea that art serves as an outlet or tool for individuals to process and express their experiences, emotions, and perspectives about life. It's not about immersing oneself completely in the artistic process, but using it as a means to navigate and survive everyday existence.

"Filmmaking is an act of love, hate, rage, or passion, but above all it should be an act of truth."

This quote by Abel Ferrara underscores the profound emotional investment filmmakers have in their craft. He suggests that the process of filmmaking, like any creative endeavor, is driven by strong emotions such as love, hate, rage, or passion. However, he emphasizes that above all, it should be an expression of truth. This truth can be subjective and may encompass the filmmaker's personal perspective, societal realities, or universal human experiences. Ferrara seems to imply that for a film to resonate deeply with its audience, it must tap into authentic emotions and present truthful narratives.

"I make movies because I have no choice."

Abel Ferrara's statement "I make movies because I have no choice" suggests a deep personal compulsion and devotion to his craft as a filmmaker. It implies that creating films is not just a profession or hobby for him, but rather an essential part of who he is and what defines him. This unwavering dedication to his art form may stem from a profound passion, an innate talent, or perhaps both - leading him to feel that he must create movies not out of choice, but out of necessity.

"I think the artist has to live on the edge, and it's hard for artists to live on the edge today when they are so cushioned by money and safety."

This quote suggests that a true artist should operate at societal boundaries, pushing limits in creativity and expression. However, the contemporary artistic landscape often offers financial security and safety, making it challenging for artists to maintain this edge due to the constraints of stability and comfort. In essence, Ferrara implies that genuine artistry requires risk-taking and living on the 'edge', which can be compromised by monetary success and safety.

Mulberry Street was the beating heart of the Italian-American experience, but you don't find those gangsters now. I live with a bunch of yuppies and models.

- Abel Ferrara

Gangsters, Models, Beating

My existence is about making movies, so I've just got to rock and roll with the punches. You want to make movies on telephones, I'm there.

- Abel Ferrara

Making, Punches, Telephones

I don't know what DVD commentaries are about. I'd like to strangle the person who came up with that concept.

- Abel Ferrara

Like, Concept, About, Strangle

Certain actors wanna get paid, they think working in a low-budget movie is being ripped off. But for others it's like, 'Yes, let's do it.'

- Abel Ferrara

Think, Movie, Like, Ripped

As barbaric is we are, it's a miracle we haven't blown ourselves off the face of the earth so far.

- Abel Ferrara

Face, Earth, Far, Barbaric

As an old-time New Yorker, it's not that I miss the '70s and '80s or whatever. I miss the fact that there was a certain kind of energy that exists when people can live for nothing.

- Abel Ferrara

New, Fact, Kind, Old-Time

In the film business, it's basically honor among thieves.

- Abel Ferrara

Business, Film Business, Thieves

But I'm never gonna get to a point in my life where what it costs to shoot a movie is going to determine what it is. The limits of my imagination is the only thing that's gonna stop me.

- Abel Ferrara

My Life, Movie, Costs, Limits

It's funny, the hardest thing to do is to make something look like it's fast, loose and improvised, and get somebody to laugh.

- Abel Ferrara

Like, The Hardest Thing, Loose

I was raised a Catholic and when you're raised a Catholic they don't teach you to think for yourself. You're taught not to think too deeply about things.

- Abel Ferrara

Think, Teach, Raised, Catholic

I'm a lapsed Buddhist like I'm a lapsed Catholic. I take it to a point.

- Abel Ferrara

Like, Take, Buddhist, Catholic

Most filmmaking is about shaking hands and just starting.

- Abel Ferrara

Hands, Most, About, Starting

The secret is not to make a film that causes something like Virginia Tech to happen. The secret is to make a film that stops it happening.

- Abel Ferrara

Happen, Like, Tech, Virginia

I was born in the Bronx, and then my father moved us to the country at an early age.

- Abel Ferrara

Born, Country, I Was Born, Early Age

It's only Western civilization that, God forbid, you talk about dying, when it's the only thing we know for certain, right? Everyone's going to die, so what's the big problem? 'Oh, God. Don't talk about it. Don't think about it.' I mean, I'm one of them. I'm not a big fan of talking about dying.

- Abel Ferrara

Die, Big, Civilization, Big Problem

Listen, anybody who has a film festival has the right to show what they want.

- Abel Ferrara

Want, Festival, Anybody, Film Festival

My life is proof that I don't need you to do what I do. If there's no one to see it, I'll watch it.

- Abel Ferrara

Life, My Life, Need, Proof

Making money is not gonna change anything about what I am, except I won't answer the door.

- Abel Ferrara

Door, Making, Gonna, Making Money

I grew up in the '60s, which was a creative time, so it wasn't that big of a stretch to go from a baseball bat to a guitar to a film camera.

- Abel Ferrara

Big, Go, Which, Bat

A script is not a piece of literature it's a process.

- Abel Ferrara

Process, Literature, Piece, Script

With 'New Rose Hotel,' I knew that I was getting paid a $100,000 fee to write, produce, and direct, and that's all I was going to get.

- Abel Ferrara

New, Going, Knew, Rose

That's the thing about making a movie: You never finish editing. They just take it away from you.

- Abel Ferrara

Movie, Making, Away, Finish

The actors that I love to work with, they're hard on me. They're pushing me.

- Abel Ferrara

Love, Work, I Love, Pushing

I'm not a big fan of talking about dying. And then I make a movie where I kill everybody.

- Abel Ferrara

Big, Movie, Everybody, Big Fan

I live with a bunch of yuppies and models.

- Abel Ferrara

Live, Models, Bunch

Where I come from you're not raised to think on your own. It's not that you're pushed to read the Bible. The Bible is read to you.

- Abel Ferrara

Bible, Think, Read, Pushed

The more you get into any religion, it becomes the same. It really becomes how you treat other people and how you get outside yourself. How you look to help other people, and how you get out of this 'I, me, mine' type of thing.

- Abel Ferrara

More, Other, Mine, Treat

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