George Hickenlooper Quotes

Powerful George Hickenlooper for Daily Growth

About George Hickenlooper

George Hickenlooper (1963-2010) was an American film director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his eclectic body of work that spanned various genres. Born in Denver, Colorado on March 25, 1963, Hickenlooper showed an early interest in cinema, starting out as a critic for the Chicago Reader while studying at Columbia College Chicago. His career took off after he produced and directed the critically acclaimed documentary "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse" (1991), chronicling the making of Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam War film "Apocalypse Now." This marked a significant influence in Hickenlooper's life, as he was inspired by Coppola's independent spirit and passion for storytelling. In the 1990s, Hickenlooper made his mark with feature films such as "The Man from Elysian Fields" (2001), starring Andy Garcia and Mira Sorvino, and "Factory Girl" (2006), which featured Sienna Miller's portrayal of Warhol Factory icon Edie Sedgwick. His final film as a director was the biographical drama "Casino Jack" (2010), starring Kevin Spacey and Barry Pepper. Throughout his career, Hickenlooper showed a penchant for exploring complex characters and unconventional narratives. He often delved into the lives of people on the fringe, drawing inspiration from real-life events. His work was known for its gritty realism and dark humor, reflecting both his personal experiences and his keen eye for detail. Tragically, Hickenlooper's life was cut short in 2010 when he died at the age of 47. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to cinema continue to resonate, leaving a lasting impact on both audiences and fellow filmmakers alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The best stories are always about people who get in trouble."

This quote by George Hickenlooper emphasizes that compelling narratives often revolve around individuals encountering difficulties or challenges. The trials and tribulations experienced by characters serve to create tension, spark growth, and ultimately make their stories more engaging. By getting into trouble, these characters demonstrate resilience, ingenuity, and the human capacity for overcoming adversity – elements that resonate with audiences on a deeply emotional level.


"Filmmaking is the ultimate collaborative art form."

This quote highlights that filmmaking, unlike many other forms of artistic expression, heavily relies on collaboration among various parties. Unlike a painter who can create a piece entirely alone or a writer who can write a novel independently, a filmmaker depends on multiple individuals for scriptwriting, acting, cinematography, sound design, editing, and more. It emphasizes the importance of teamwork in bringing a film to life, making it a truly collaborative art form.


"Everything in life has a secret and everything in cinema has a secret."

This quote emphasizes that both life and cinema hold hidden truths or layers, awaiting discovery. In everyday life, the secrets might refer to people's emotions, motivations, or stories behind their actions; in cinema, these secrets could be symbolic meanings, underlying themes, or the personal experiences of the creators reflected in their work. Understanding and uncovering these secrets can enhance our appreciation for both life and art.


"Great ideas have to be forced upon you by your surroundings, inspiration cannot be sought out or invented."

This quote by George Hickenlooper suggests that great ideas don't originate from deliberate searching or mental invention; rather, they are born out of one's environment and experiences. In other words, the best ideas often come to us when we are immersed in life, open to new experiences, and allow ourselves to be influenced by our surroundings. Inspiration can strike at any moment, but it rarely occurs as a result of conscious effort or deliberate seeking. Instead, it emerges naturally from the richness of our lives and the stimuli we encounter in them.


"To make a movie, you need passion, a clear idea, persistence, and a little bit of luck."

This quote by George Hickenlooper encapsulates the essence of filmmaking – it's not just about having an idea or passion; one needs a clear vision, unyielding determination, and a touch of good fortune to bring that idea to life on screen. The process requires a blend of artistic fervor, strategic planning, and resilience in the face of obstacles, with luck serving as the catalyst that can propel a project from concept to reality.


Simon Monjack had nothing to do with 'Factory Girl.' He filed a frivolous lawsuit against us... making bogus claims that we had stolen his script. He held us literally to hostage and we were forced to settle with him as he held our production over a barrel.

- George Hickenlooper

Production, Lawsuit, Held, Bogus

I think that narrative, fiction filmmaking is the culmination of several art forms: theater, art history, architecture. Whereas doc filmmaking is more pure cinema, like cinema verite is film in its purest form.

- George Hickenlooper

Fiction, I Think, Several, Art Forms

There's something unique about the United States, a sense of individual rights and freedoms, and a sense of social and civic responsibility that we contributed to so much of the world. We lost that mission in the 1980s and 1990s, when we entered a gilded age, and the culture of individualism became a culture of avarice.

- George Hickenlooper

Gilded, Became, Avarice, Civic

I was very inspired by Les Blank's film 'Burden of Dreams.' I think what's unique about his film and the two I've made is that they're close examinations of filmmakers and how their own emotional experiences reflect in the material they're rendering, and vice versa - how that material sometimes colors their own lives.

- George Hickenlooper

Emotional Experiences, Rendering

I love the grandiosity of Hollywood movies, and even in independents, I love the canvas you can tell your story on. I love fiction filmmaking, you really feel like you're creating something.

- George Hickenlooper

Love, Hollywood, Canvas, Independents

Generally in my films like 'Hearts of Darkness' or 'Picture This,' I try not to make myself a presence in the film.

- George Hickenlooper

Myself, Like, Films, Presence

I always say be humble but be firm. Humility and openness are the key to success without compromising your beliefs.

- George Hickenlooper

Humble, Be Humble, Always, Key

There's been a vacuum with movies that people can relate to. There's been a paucity of dramas that people can relate to. I think audiences are clamoring to connect - particularly after 9/11 - with things that are genuine and real and I think documentaries are filling that need.

- George Hickenlooper

Think, Been, I Think, Documentaries

I'm fascinated by failure, and I'm fascinated by finality. Shakespeare's historical plays are more universal than his comedies because they relate to the finality of life. Without finality, life would not be beautiful.

- George Hickenlooper

More, Historical, Plays, Comedies

As a filmmaker I find it much more rewarding to work with actors who are classically trained. It's about the work and only the work.

- George Hickenlooper

More, Rewarding, Trained, Filmmaker

Kelly Preston is a remarkable human being and a great dramatic actress. It was a privilege as a director to tap into this part of her. Rarely do I make a kind of spiritual connection with my cast. Kelly was a wonderful exception. She is truly very special and I adore her.

- George Hickenlooper

Exception, Part, Very, Rarely

I'm very strongly in favor of the auteur theory.

- George Hickenlooper

Theory, Very, Strongly, Favor

Most people, 95% of people, are good people. It's the 5% who get seduced by power.

- George Hickenlooper

Power, Get, Most, Seduced

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