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Bernardo Bertolucci Quotes

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About Bernardo Bertolucci

Bernardo Bertolucci (March 16, 1941 – November 26, 2018) was an acclaimed Italian filmmaker renowned for his visionary storytelling and exploration of complex human emotions. Born in Rome to an aristocratic family with ties to the Italian Resistance, Bertolucci developed an early interest in cinema, influenced by pioneers such as Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut. At age 19, he made his directorial debut with "La Commare Secca" (The Dry Cleaner's Tale), followed by the controversial "Prima della Rivoluzione" (Before the Revolution) in 1964. His breakthrough came with the groundbreaking film "The Conformist" (1970), a psychological drama that examined fascism, sexuality, and identity during Mussolini's Italy. Bertolucci gained international acclaim for his subsequent work, including the erotic epic "Last Tango in Paris" (1972), starring Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider, which sparked controversy but also garnered critical praise. His other notable films include "1900" (1976), a sprawling historical drama depicting the lives of two friends from opposite social classes; "The Last Emperor" (1987), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Director; and "The Dreamers" (2003), an exploration of love, politics, and cinema during the May '68 events in Paris. Throughout his career, Bertolucci's films tackled themes of sexuality, power, and politics, often using a non-linear narrative structure to challenge traditional storytelling conventions. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail, collaborative approach with actors, and ability to elicit deeply emotional performances. Despite his numerous accolades, Bertolucci remained humble, crediting his success to the support of friends, colleagues, and audiences around the world who embraced his unique vision.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Cinema is a mirror that reflects reality but it can also be a hammer that shapes and changes it."

This quote by Bernardo Bertolucci suggests that cinema serves a dual purpose: reflecting the world as we know it (mirror) and having the power to impact, influence, or change society (hammer). As a mirror, cinema captures the essence of our times and provides insight into human experiences. Yet, when wielded with intent, cinema can reshape and transform societal perceptions and values, fostering change and progress.

"Ingredients of drama are the same as the ingredients of life: love, desire, jealousy, ambition, power, betrayal, death."

This quote by Bernardo Bertolucci suggests that the fundamental building blocks of both dramatic narratives and human experiences share common themes. These themes include intense emotions such as love, desire, jealousy, and ambition; powerful forces like power and betrayal; and ultimately, the inevitable experience of mortality or death. In other words, drama mirrors life in its complexities, passions, struggles, and finality.

"The cinema is not only a reflection of society, but also an instrument for changing it."

The quote by Bernardo Bertolucci highlights that films are not just mirrors of society, they serve as both a reflection and a tool for change. Cinema offers a platform to expose societal issues, inspire empathy, and provoke thought among viewers. It also holds the power to influence public opinion, foster discussions, and potentially lead to real-life transformations in society, making it an essential instrument for social change.

"I've always been very interested in exploring the mysteries of human beings and their relationships with others."

This quote by Bernardo Bertolucci signifies his profound interest in understanding the complexities and intricacies of the human psyche, as well as the dynamic relationships that individuals establish with each other. It highlights his artistic pursuit to delve deep into the enigmatic world of humanity, seeking answers to questions about their nature, emotions, motivations, and interactions.

"The best way to express myself is through my work. I believe that art has the power to change people's minds and hearts."

This quote by Bernardo Bertolucci highlights the importance of creative expression and the transformative potential of art. The statement suggests that for Bertolucci, his chosen medium (film in this case) is the most effective means to communicate his thoughts and feelings. Moreover, he believes in the impactful role of art; it's not just entertainment but has the power to influence people on an emotional and intellectual level by altering their perceptions and stimulating empathy or introspection. Essentially, this quote emphasizes the capacity of artistic expression to bring about change, whether that be personal transformation or societal evolution.

What happened in the late Fifties, early Sixties in French cinema was a fantastic revolution. I was in Italy, but completely in love with the nouvelle vague movement, and directors like Godard, Truffaut, Demy. 'The Dreamers' was a total homage to cinema and that love for it.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Love, Vague, Like, Fantastic

There's no more film; now everything's digital. I welcome this. It's fantastic for me to have a new chance.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Chance, Digital, New, Fantastic

What always made me proud - almost blushing with pride - is that Francis Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg all told me that 'The Conformist' is their first modern influence.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Always, Scorsese, Blushing, Steven

I remember being young in the 1960s... we had a great sense of the future, a great big hope. This is what is missing in the youth today. This being able to dream and to change the world.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Big, I Remember, Great Sense, Missing

I started in '69 to have psychoanalysis, and I realised very soon that I was changing, and that's I think why my movies were changing. They became much more open to dialogue.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Think, Very, Became, Psychoanalysis

I make movies in order to make things understood, not to be shocking.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Movies, Things, Make, Understood

I think politics is a higher build in life. You know? If you diffuse under normal, common sense of a story, you make it political. If you choose a conventional way for a story, or refuse to use the conventional way, you make it political.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Politics, I Think, Use, Common Sense

I don't film messages. I let the post office take care of those.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Take Care, Post, Take, Post Office

'Dreamers' was because I really wanted to go back after I heard so much nonsense about '68. I wanted to go back to what for me was '68, when young people thought that they could change the world.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Thought, Young, Could, Dreamers

I don't think you can in any way export culture with guns or tanks.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Culture, Think, Guns, Export

A monoculture is not only Hollywood, but Americans trying to export democracy.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Trying, Hollywood, Only, Export

I wanted already to be a filmmaker after I saw 'La Dolce Vita.'

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Wanted, Saw, After, La

For American filmmakers, the Oscars is like a mystic thing. For me, it was being in a mirror of my dreams when I was dreaming of Hollywood when I was an adolescent.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Mirror, Hollywood, Dreaming, Adolescent

English dialogues are always just what you need and nothing more - like something out of Hemingway. In Italian and in French, dialogues are always theatrical, literary. You can do more with it.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Need, Always, Theatrical, French

I like to be in a huis clos, as the French say - in one place. It's something that in general can create a bit of claustrophobia. But for me, claustrophobia becomes almost immediately claustrophilia. I love it!

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Love, Like, Almost, French

I saw 'Avatar' and liked it very much. It was a great achievement.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Very, Great Achievement, Saw, Avatar

I accept all interpretations of my films. The only reality is before the camera. Each film I make is kind of a return to poetry for me, or at least an attempt to create a poem.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Kind, Before, Films, Camera

I am in love with the idea of doing a movie in 3D. I think 3D would be great in a kind of realistic normal story without throwing objects to the camera, but using the 3D on the emotions in an intimate story.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Love, Think, Normal, Camera

Commuting in a wheelchair is not easy. I live in a very old part of Rome. These cobbles everywhere... terrible! In London, it is the same. Every pavement is uneven.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Rome, Wheelchair, Pavement, Commuting

I left the ending ambiguous, because that is the way life is.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Ending, Because, Left, Ambiguous

I like being able to see an innocence in people. I see a lot of beauty in youth. Young people are in progress. Their faces and bodies and minds are constantly changing. It's exciting to capture that on film.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Beauty, Young, Innocence, Faces

When I shoot, I try to feel the body and the face and the weight of the actor, because the character until that moment is only in the pages of the script. And very often, I pull from the life of my actors. I'm always curious about what these characters and these actors are hiding about their lives.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Feel, Very, About, Shoot

If I don't fall in love with my characters, I cannot shoot.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Love, Fall, Characters, Shoot

The conformist understands that the reason of his desperate look for conformism is that he realises he is different and that he never accepted his difference.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Reason, Desperate, Accepted, Understands

The problem in Hollywood is that they try to become the only kind of cinema in the world, okay? The imposition everywhere of a unique culture, which is Hollywood culture, and a unique way of life, which is the American way of life.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Hollywood, Okay, Which, American Way

I wanted to have a reaction from the audience. I wanted to be able to talk to somebody, and not be talking just to myself. That's when I did 'The Conformist,' 'Last Tango in Paris,' etc. And I found it was incredibly rewarding, something new.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Paris, Talking, Rewarding, Conformist

I don't see my movies. I think it's healthier and safer to keep a bit of distance. I'm afraid to be disappointed.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Think, Distance, I Think, Disappointed

I am still against any kind of censorship. It's a subject in my life that has been very important.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

My Life, Very, Still, Censorship

Although some people call me anti-feminist, I know I wasn't because Germaine Greer supported me.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

People, Some, Call, Supported

I haven't made a movie for a while, but I've watched a lot. It's my major waste of time. I like to work, but also to be waiting for work.

- Bernardo Bertolucci

Waiting, Waste, Movie, Waste Of Time

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