Justin Kurzel Quotes

Powerful Justin Kurzel for Daily Growth

About Justin Kurzel

Justin Kurzel is an acclaimed Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer, born on March 31, 1974, in Canberra, Australia. He is the son of acclaimed Australian playwright and director, Harold Kurlanski, who changed his surname to Kurzel upon moving to Australia. Justin's early life was heavily influenced by the world of theatre, as his father was a prominent figure in the Australian arts scene. Kurzel attended the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) after completing high school. His debut short film, 'The Duel', premiered at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival and won several awards. This early success was a harbinger of things to come for the young director. In 2011, Kurzel directed his first feature film, 'Snowtown', based on true events from Australia's notorious 'Body in the Barrel' case. The film was critically acclaimed and won multiple awards, including the AACTA Award for Best Film. Kurzel gained international recognition with his 2015 adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. The film was a bold reimagining of the classic tale, set against the bleak backdrop of the Scottish Highlands. In 2016, Kurzel directed 'Assassin's Creed', based on the popular video game series. Despite mixed reviews, the film showcased Kurzel's ability to tackle large-scale productions with ease and style. Currently, Kurzel is working on an adaptation of Frank Herbert's 'Dune'. The film, set for release in 2021, promises to be another ambitious project from the talented director. Through his unique storytelling and vision, Justin Kurzel continues to make a significant impact on the global film industry.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The story is always more powerful than any special effect."

This quote by Justin Kurzel emphasizes that the emotional impact and narrative depth of a story are more significant than any visual or technical spectacle a film might offer, such as special effects. It suggests that a strong, compelling tale can captivate audiences more effectively than mere visual trickery, and that storytelling remains the cornerstone of cinematic art.


"I want to make films that move people and stay with them long after they've left the cinema."

Justin Kurzel aspires to create films that have a profound emotional impact on their audience, leaving an indelible impression even after viewers exit the theater. This suggests a focus on storytelling that resonates deeply, tapping into the human experience in a way that transcends the boundaries of the cinematic medium and lingers in the hearts and minds of those who watch.


"Filmmaking is a collaborative process, you can't do it alone."

This quote emphasizes the collective nature of filmmaking; it suggests that the creation of a movie is not solely an individual endeavor but rather a team effort requiring collaboration between various professionals such as directors, actors, cinematographers, editors, and many others. It underscores the importance of cooperation, communication, and mutual respect among those involved in the creative process to produce a successful piece of work.


"I'm not just making movies, I'm trying to create a world."

Justin Kurzel, in this statement, expresses his artistic ambition to transcend mere filmmaking. Instead, he aims to construct an immersive universe within the bounds of cinema, where the audience can lose themselves, connect emotionally, and feel as though they have stepped into a unique reality crafted by the director. This perspective embodies a deeper commitment to storytelling, enriching the viewer's experience beyond simple entertainment.


"Every decision on set should be made with the heart and the story in mind."

This quote by Justin Kurzel emphasizes that all decisions made during film production, from creative choices to practical logistics, should be guided primarily by emotion (heart) and the narrative's integrity (story). This approach ensures that the final product resonates with both the creator and the audience on an emotional level, while staying true to the story being told. In other words, he suggests that artistic vision and the story's essence should drive decision-making in film production for a more authentic and impactful cinematic experience.


The great thing about first-time actors is that they listen. If you say something in a scene, they were listening to it. They weren't thinking about the return line.

- Justin Kurzel

Listening, Line, About, First-Time

As a white Australian, you're surrounded by this vast landscape you know isn't yours, so you're always intimidated. You expect to vanish up a mountain or get eaten by the ground.

- Justin Kurzel

Always, Expect, Surrounded, Eaten

There's this classic car crash thing about 'Macbeth.' You can just see this car driving at 100 mph towards this brick wall, and you can't do anything about it, and the characters are desperately trying to stop it and can't.

- Justin Kurzel

About, Brick Wall, Crash, Brick

I think 'Macbeth' was a play that I've always gotten so much out of. My wife played Lady Macbeth in a play, and I designed it. There are things in there that are just kind of extraordinary.

- Justin Kurzel

Play, Think, Always, Macbeth

The idea that you're made up of the people that come before you and you somehow have some kind of conscious dialog with your genetics - I think it's really deep and interesting stuff.

- Justin Kurzel

Deep, Think, Some, Dialog

I'd said no to directing 'Snowtown' a few times and was quite scared of it, but I saw a story there that was worth telling.

- Justin Kurzel

Worth, Telling, Saw, Scared

Directing is a whole series of things that would be awkward socially. But I love that. I love actors. Talking with them, touching, laughing, crying.

- Justin Kurzel

Love, Touching, Socially, Laughing

I lost my father and went into a process of grief with it that was all about how to replace that grief, how to fill it, and I think there was something very desperate in the way that I was replacing it.

- Justin Kurzel

Process, Think, Very, Grief

Oh, 'Step Brothers' is genius. I could watch that film a thousand times.

- Justin Kurzel

Genius, Brothers, Times, Thousand Times

When I was 17, I moved to Sydney to study set design at NIDA.

- Justin Kurzel

Study, Set, Moved, Sydney

I'm not a violent person; I'm not interested in violence.

- Justin Kurzel

Person, Violent, Interested, Not Interested

I love Steve Martin so much, even in 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.'

- Justin Kurzel

Love, Dirty, Steve Martin, Rotten

The wonderful thing about cinema is you can bring a 3D world to life.

- Justin Kurzel

World, Bring, About, Wonderful Thing

What happened in Snowtown was repeated many times in history, in a big scale and a small scale.

- Justin Kurzel

Small, Big, Times, Repeated

In Australia, I think, there's so much baggage with it. You just mention 'Snowtown,' and everyone's got an opinion about it.

- Justin Kurzel

Think, I Think, Baggage, Mention

I actually gravitate toward comedy a lot when it comes to what I'm watching, but maybe that's because I've been on such dark work the last four or five years.

- Justin Kurzel

Been, Last, Maybe, Gravitate

The first time I went to Cannes, Gus Van Sant was there in competition with 'Last Days.'

- Justin Kurzel

First Time, Last, Van, Cannes

I definitely had very strong male figures in my life, who, when I look back, clearly laid the foundations to who I am.

- Justin Kurzel

Strong, My Life, Very, Male

We all want to belong to something, and we all want to feel as though we have a legacy, and when you see two characters that have had that taken away from them, I think that just feels very real and very human.

- Justin Kurzel

I Think, Very, Feels, Belong

With 'Snowtown,' you either love it or you hate it; there's no middle ground. So I've come to understand and appreciate that's the kind of film that it is.

- Justin Kurzel

Love, Kind, Middle, Middle Ground

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