Norman Jewison Quotes

Powerful Norman Jewison for Daily Growth

About Norman Jewison

Norman Jewison, born on February 21, 1926, in Toronto, Canada, is a renowned film director and producer, best known for his socially relevant and emotionally powerful films. Raised in a working-class Jewish family during the Great Depression, Jewison's interest in cinema was ignited when he saw Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights" at the age of ten. This momentous experience set him on a lifelong journey in the world of filmmaking. Jewison served as a navigator in World War II before studying drama at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and University of Toronto. His career took off when he founded the theater group, Theatre 140, which produced plays that tackled social issues, mirroring his commitment to address societal concerns in his future film projects. In 1957, Jewison co-founded Cinevue Productions, where he directed several successful Canadian films. His big break came with the 1967 release of "The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming," a comedy that marked his American directorial debut and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Over the years, Jewison has delivered a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, including "In the Heat of the Night" (1967), "Moonstruck" (1987), and "Against All Odds" (1984). His work often explores themes of race relations, social justice, and human relationships. Notably, Jewison directed the 1977 film "Jesus Christ Superstar," which showcased his ability to adapt stage productions for the screen effectively. In 2012, he was awarded the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in Canada and a lifetime achievement award at the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards. Today, Jewison continues to work as a film producer and serves as an advocate for peace and human rights, making significant contributions to the world of cinema with his socially aware films that resonate with audiences around the globe.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The role of a director is not to say 'This is what I think,' but 'What does he think?'"

This quote emphasizes the importance of empathy in the art of directing films. Instead of imposing one's own perspective, a director should strive to understand the characters they are portraying and present their thoughts, emotions, and motivations authentically on screen. By doing so, the audience can connect more deeply with the characters, making the storytelling experience more immersive and impactful.


"I have always believed that if you're going to make movies, you should be moved by them."

This quote emphasizes that filmmakers should not only create films for the sake of it but should genuinely care about and be emotionally invested in their work. By being moved by the movies they produce, Norman Jewison suggests that directors can convey authenticity and passion to the audience, potentially creating a deeper emotional connection between viewer and content. This commitment to feeling and emotion is integral to impactful and memorable cinematic experiences.


"Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theater."

The quote by Norman Jewison emphasizes that cinema should provide an immersive experience, making the audience feel as if they're part of the story or world being presented on screen. It suggests that the power of film lies not just in its technical aspects, but in its ability to transport us beyond the confines of the theater and into another realm – a testament to the transformative potential of cinema as an art form.


"There is no such thing as an original idea."

This quote by Norman Jewison implies that every idea or invention, seemingly new and groundbreaking, has roots in previous thoughts, concepts, or discoveries. It encourages us to view creativity not as a solitary act of originality, but rather as a process where ideas are built upon, expanded, or reimagined from existing knowledge, experiences, and inspirations. It also emphasizes the importance of crediting sources and acknowledging influences in our creative endeavors, recognizing that innovation often arises through collaboration, interaction, and shared learning among people and communities.


"The best way to predict your future is to create it."

This quote by Norman Jewison underscores the idea that one's future is not predestined but rather something we shape through our actions and decisions in the present. It encourages proactivity, emphasizing that we have the power to influence our future positively by creating meaningful and purposeful opportunities for ourselves. In essence, it's a call to take control of our lives and mold our destinies according to our aspirations and goals.


We also have a tendency to root for the fugitive. We're always on the side of the animal being chased.

- Norman Jewison

Always, Side, Chased, Fugitive

I was very disappointed that Denzel didn't win Best Actor for The Hurricane because I thought he deserved it.

- Norman Jewison

Best, Thought, Very, Deserved

I mean they're making remakes of my films and I'm not even dead yet! Why would you want to make a remake?

- Norman Jewison

Want, Making, Films, Remake

As you know, in America there's no rights for the artist, so whatever films I've made kind of belong to the studio, so if they want to remake it they can.

- Norman Jewison

Belong, Studio, Films, Remake

When you shoot a musical, you're shooting to lipsynch tracks, so we had to figure out our choreography and work out what we wanted to do with each number before we did it.

- Norman Jewison

Before, Figure, Musical, Choreography

Every generation deals with the breaking down of its tradition, and I think that they rediscovered the film.

- Norman Jewison

Generation, Think, I Think, Rediscovered

I was really excited to have the opportunity to make Fiddler.

- Norman Jewison

Opportunity, Excited, Make, Fiddler

I think all Nazis didn't see themselves as bad people. I've never met a racist yet who thought he was a racist. Or an anti-Semite who thought they were anti-Semitic.

- Norman Jewison

Think, Bad, I Think, Bad People

And I think all Nazis didn't see themselves as bad people. I've never met a racist yet who thought he was a racist. Or an anti-Semite who thought they were anti-Semitic.

- Norman Jewison

Think, Bad, I Think, Bad People

I don't make films to win prizes. I make films to make films.

- Norman Jewison

Win, Films, Make, Prizes

When I make a film, I never want the film to become a vehicle of social propaganda. If I wanted to do that, I'd make documentaries.

- Norman Jewison

Want, Social, Propaganda, Documentaries

Moonstruck... was one of the few romantic comedies to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.

- Norman Jewison

Romantic Comedies, Oscar, Comedies

And even Moonstruck - for some reason the audience were just in the mood for a very romantic film, because it's one of the few romantic comedies to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.

- Norman Jewison

Some, Romantic Comedies, Comedies

With most British actors, it's amazing. I think they start with the character on the outside and work in.

- Norman Jewison

Work, Think, I Think, British Actors

Michael Caine is a movie star, but he's also a great actor. I can't say that about every movie star. It's the concentration he has.

- Norman Jewison

Star, Movie, About, Movie Star

I still get a lot of material but I find that as one gets older you get more fussy. You know you're going spend a year or a year and a half on this and you know there are only so many films in you so you get a little bit more selective.

- Norman Jewison

Year, Half, Bit, Selective

I don't like to think that maybe I'm just getting old. I'm not too excited about watching a huge explosion. I'm more interested in people and characters.

- Norman Jewison

Think, Like, Maybe, Getting Old

It's an entire industry focusing on young male viewers that want action and violence. They sell us something that isn't valid. They're selling films like a product.

- Norman Jewison

Product, Young, Films, Viewers

We're always on the side of the animal that's being chased. We always seem to be on the side of the rabbit or the fox and not on the side of the hounds.

- Norman Jewison

Always, Side, Chased, Rabbit

I think I've done pretty well. I've had about 46, or 47 nominations from my movies, and my films have won about 12 awards, so I don't have any complaints.

- Norman Jewison

Think, Pretty, Films, Complaints

Well, you know the old line - to be nominated is what it's all about. I think that I've done pretty well - I've had about 46, or 47 nominations from my movies, and my films have won about 12 awards in total, so I don't really have any complaints.

- Norman Jewison

Line, I Think, About, Complaints

Everything Sholom Aleichem talks about in his plays and his short stories is about people, family, man's relationship with his God, the breaking down of tradition.

- Norman Jewison

Stories, About, Plays, Short Stories

Look, I'm just a storyteller. When I make a film, I never want the film to become a vehicle of social propaganda.

- Norman Jewison

Want, Social, Propaganda, Vehicle

I work with a lot of movie stars.

- Norman Jewison

Work, Movie, Lot, Movie Stars

I'm just a storyteller.

- Norman Jewison

Just, Storyteller

But Madonna has a small amount of talent when it comes to movies.

- Norman Jewison

Small, Movies, Amount, Madonna

I'm going to do an adaptation of the Italian film, Bread and Tulips. I really like that film.

- Norman Jewison

Bread, Like, Going, Italian

A lot of American actors I work with are in character all day long. You can't talk to them. It's Method and the whole thing.

- Norman Jewison

Work, American, Method, All Day

Betrayal... is my favorite subject.

- Norman Jewison

Favorite, Subject, Betrayal

I'm in the mood for another Moonstruck experience, for another romantic comedy.

- Norman Jewison

Romantic, Comedy, Another, Mood

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