Emir Kusturica Quotes

Powerful Emir Kusturica for Daily Growth

About Emir Kusturica

Emir Kusturica, born on November 24, 1954, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a renowned Serbian film director, screenwriter, musician, and artist. His unique blend of surrealism, fantasy, and political satire has made him one of the most significant figures in contemporary European cinema. Raised in a family of artists, Kusturica developed an early interest in filmmaking and music. He graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade in 1979. His directorial debut, "Do You Remember Dolly Bell?" (1981), was a hit, earning him critical acclaim and international recognition. Kusturica's works are heavily influenced by his Balkan heritage, reflecting the region's complex history, culture, and political climate. His films often portray the lives of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, using vibrant visuals and unconventional storytelling techniques. Some of his most notable works include "Time of the Gypsies" (1988), which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, "Underground" (1995), a surrealistic epic that chronicles Yugoslavia's history from World War II to the fall of Communism, and "Black Cat, White Cat" (1998), a comedic tale of two brothers vying for control over their family's carnival. In addition to his film career, Kusturica is also known for his music with the band "No Smoking Orchestra," which fuses Balkan folk music with rock and roll. He has been a vocal critic of global politics, particularly the West's interference in the Balkans. Kusturica continues to create thought-provoking films and music that challenge conventional norms and offer unique perspectives on the world. His work serves as a testament to his artistic brilliance and enduring influence on contemporary cinema.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is a miracle, and it can change in a second."

Emir Kusturica's quote emphasizes that life, being a miraculous journey, has an inherent ability to transform in the blink of an eye. It serves as a poignant reminder that our lives, though seemingly stable and predictable at times, can undergo radical changes without notice or warning. This change may be positive or negative, but it underscores the importance of staying open-minded, resilient, and appreciative, as we never truly know what each moment might bring.


"In the world there is no such thing as the truth, only different versions of reality."

This quote suggests that objective truth does not exist universally; instead, each person's understanding or perception of events (reality) can differ based on individual perspectives, beliefs, experiences, or biases. In other words, the interpretation of what is "true" or real depends on one's subjective point of view. This idea highlights the importance of empathy, open-mindedness, and understanding that others may have different versions of reality than ourselves.


"I don't believe in dreams. I believe in actions."

Emir Kusturica suggests that he values tangible efforts and accomplishments over abstract ideas or aspirations, as indicated by his statement "I don't believe in dreams." Instead, he emphasizes the importance of taking concrete actions towards one's goals. This perspective highlights the idea that actionable steps are more meaningful than mere daydreaming or wishful thinking when it comes to achieving personal and collective success.


"Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions."

Emir Kusturica suggests that happiness is not a predetermined or passive state, but rather an active pursuit resulting from our own actions and decisions. In other words, we are responsible for creating our own happiness by the choices we make and the efforts we put into our lives. This perspective emphasizes personal growth, agency, and self-motivation as essential elements in cultivating a happy life.


"We are all prisoners of our own sins."

Emir Kusturica's quote, "We are all prisoners of our own sins," suggests that each person is bound by the consequences of their past actions, or mistakes. It implies a recognition that everyone makes errors in judgment, choices, or behaviors, which can have lasting effects on one's life and relationships. However, it also holds a message of personal responsibility – we are accountable for our actions, and it is up to us to learn from them, grow, and strive to break free from the negative cycles they may create. In essence, the quote encourages self-reflection, growth, and taking ownership of one's life.


Yugoslavia was a kind of superpower. Great movies. Beautiful novels. Great rock-and-roll. We became a superpower in basketball. The problem is that people needed to identify more strongly with it after Tito and his awful, tricky way of leading the country.

- Emir Kusturica

Country, Became, Identify, Rock-And-Roll

I will not cut my film because, because, because, because of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

- Emir Kusturica

Wonderful, Will, Cut, Wizard Of Oz

Every time I'm shooting a movie I want to kill myself. Because I don't see the light in the end of the tunnel.

- Emir Kusturica

Myself, Want, Movie, End Of The Tunnel

I am a living illustration of Bosnian mixing and converting. My grandparents lived in eastern Herzegovina. Very poor. The Turks came and brought Islam. There were three brothers in the family. One was Orthodox Christian. The other two took Islam to survive.

- Emir Kusturica

Other, Very, Brought, Illustration

In Serbia a lot of people hate me because they want to westernize, not understanding that the western world is bipolar, with very good things and very bad things.

- Emir Kusturica

Want, Bad, Very, Western World

The advantage of the gypsy language, even though I don't understand it that much, the language is perfect melody. So if you propose the movie the way I do, then the language is just one part of the melody. Orchestrating all inside, and the language is following the meaning of what they say, and it's never the same as written.

- Emir Kusturica

Perfect, Gypsy, Movie, Meaning Of

Just because I believe in the identity and integrity of my country doesn't make a xenophobe or a nationalist.

- Emir Kusturica

Believe, Country, Nationalist

You know, in each segment of ex-Yugoslavia, multi-ethnic life is lost, except I think we somehow still have this in Serbia.

- Emir Kusturica

Think, I Think, Still, Segment

I never wanted an independent Bosnia. I wanted Yugoslavia. That is my country.

- Emir Kusturica

Never, Country, Wanted, Yugoslavia

Every movie that I do, if you analyze the stories, you can notice that in each story, that within the movie after the first 15 minutes, it could fall apart. Or every 10 minutes it has the chance that you lose the thread. On the other hand, if you succeed in putting them together, then the movie looks spontaneous and more like cinema.

- Emir Kusturica

Movie, Other, Putting, Spontaneous

What you have now is a Hollywood that is pure poison. Hollywood was a central place in the history of art in the 20th century: it was human idealism preserved. And then, like any great place, it collapsed, and it collapsed into the most awful machinery in the world.

- Emir Kusturica

Hollywood, Great Place, 20th Century

I've been around some very famous people, but no one has the effect Maradona has; people tremble in his presence.

- Emir Kusturica

Some, Been, Very, Presence

My purpose is to make a movie to make you warm. To give you some heat. Now, this rational world has become a place where only what is cool is good. Do you cut the movie on the basis of the beat of modernity or the basis of the beat of your own heart?

- Emir Kusturica

Heat, Some, Cut, Rational

I'm fed up with democracy. In a democracy, people vote for the mayors. I wanted to build a city where I will choose the citizens.

- Emir Kusturica

City, Fed, Mayors, Fed Up

The most difficult part of making movies is to keep making them. Maybe, you could make the biggest hit in the world, but then the big problem is what to do next and how to maintain devoted to a certain instinct that I have about films.

- Emir Kusturica

Big, Next, Making Movies, Big Problem

I've reached the 50th year of my life, and now every question related with life also includes thinking about death. When I leave, I want to leave to my offspring a clear idea about identity.

- Emir Kusturica

My Life, Question, Offspring, Reached

I was a big fighter when I was younger. In bars I was ready to explode and fight.

- Emir Kusturica

Ready, Big, Younger, Explode

That is a Medieval way of drawing history, in which they do not respect the law and want the rest of the world to respect the law. That's not possible.

- Emir Kusturica

Law, Rest, Which, Medieval

I am finished with cities. I spent four years in New York, ten in Paris, and I was in Belgrade for a while. To me now they are just airports.

- Emir Kusturica

New, Cities, Spent, Airport

Making movies is a dangerous job. Because you are always the one who stands at the center of the universe when making movies.

- Emir Kusturica

Always, Making, Center, Making Movies

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.