Stephen Frears Quotes

Powerful Stephen Frears for Daily Growth

About Stephen Frears

Stephen Frears, born on June 20, 1941, in London, England, is a prolific British film director and producer known for his diverse body of work spanning several genres. He began his career as an assistant director on the BBC's "Play for Today" series before making his directorial debut with the television adaptation of "Gumshoe" in 1971. Influenced by the French New Wave and British Kitchen Sink realism, Frears quickly established himself as a key figure in the British New Wave cinema movement. His early films, such as "The Snapper" (1986) and "My Beautiful Laundrette" (1985), explored themes of class, race, and sexuality with an unflinching eye and a distinctive blend of humor and drama. Frears's career took a significant turn when he directed the critically acclaimed film "Dangerous Liaisons" (1988) starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich. This adaptation of Christopher Hampton's play marked his first foray into period dramas, a genre he would continue to explore in films like "Mary Reilly" (1996), "The Queen" (2006), and "Philomena" (2013). "The Queen," starring Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II, earned Frears an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. The film was a critical and commercial success, solidifying his reputation as one of Britain's most accomplished directors. Throughout his career, Frears has demonstrated a unique ability to adapt diverse literary works for the screen, from Hanif Kureishi's "The Buddy System" to Tony Grisoni's "Sammy and Rosie Get Laid." His latest film, "The Souvenir: Part II," is a sequel to his 2019 critically acclaimed film, "The Souvenir." Stephen Frears's work continues to captivate audiences with its insightful portrayals of human nature and its ability to navigate complex social issues with sensitivity and wit.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Cinema is a very subjective art form. It's like cooking. Some people like sweet, some like sour."

This quote by Stephen Frears suggests that the experience of cinema, much like cooking, is highly personal and subjective. Just as different individuals have varying tastes when it comes to sweet or sour foods, people also have unique preferences in movies. While one viewer might appreciate a heartwarming drama, another may favor an intense action film, and yet another may enjoy a thought-provoking documentary. Frears emphasizes that the diversity of opinion in cinema is not only natural but also enriches the art form as a whole.


"Film is a visual medium and if you're making a film, it should be visually interesting."

The quote emphasizes that films are primarily a visual art form, meaning they should engage viewers through compelling visuals. In essence, the quality of a film is heavily dependent on its visual appeal, which includes everything from cinematography, lighting, costumes, sets, to editing – all elements that collectively create an aesthetically pleasing and visually stimulating experience for the audience. A visually interesting film captures attention, evokes emotions, and leaves a lasting impression on the viewers.


"I think the essence of filmmaking is to tell stories about real people in a way that makes you feel something."

This quote from Stephen Frears emphasizes that the core of cinematic artistry lies in storytelling, specifically about genuine individuals who evoke emotion within the audience. It suggests that films are most impactful when they effectively capture the human experience, allowing viewers to connect emotionally with the characters and narrative. The key takeaway is that films should resonate with our shared humanity, eliciting feelings of empathy, sympathy, joy, or any other human emotion as a means of connecting us to one another through this medium.


"The best films always surprise you. You're never quite sure where they are going."

Stephen Frears' quote emphasizes that the most impactful movies often defy predictability, keeping viewers engaged and intrigued. Instead of following a strictly linear or formulaic path, these films offer unexpected twists and turns, stimulating the audience's imagination and intellect while captivating their emotions. This unpredictable journey is what makes great films truly memorable, as they challenge expectations and broaden our understanding of storytelling.


"There's a great freedom in making a movie, but there's also a terrible responsibility. It's not just about telling a story; it's about the way you tell that story."

This quote emphasizes the dual nature of filmmaking – the creative liberty it offers and the weighty obligation it imposes. On one hand, the freedom in creating a movie allows for boundless imagination and artistic expression. On the other hand, the responsibility lies in how that story is conveyed; not only telling a compelling narrative but also ensuring it's presented in an authentic, impactful manner. In essence, Frears underscores the significance of both the artistic vision and ethical considerations in filmmaking.


Film schools didn't exist when I was growing up. I learned by working with clever people. Good writers and cinematographers.

- Stephen Frears

Film, Learned, Writers, Clever People

I had a somewhat charmed life. I was brought up at the BBC. I did meet so many people cleverer than myself in those years. Often, I was slapped down and made to feel not good enough.

- Stephen Frears

Not Good Enough, Brought, Slapped

Truth is quite constricting, in a way. You endlessly see at the start of a film 'This is a true story'.

- Stephen Frears

Start, Film, Endlessly, True Story

I'm a Republican, but I like the Queen. Like everyone else, I'm sentimental about the Queen.

- Stephen Frears

Queen, Like, Everyone Else, Sentimental

As a director, my job is to protect. I protect scripts, actors, cameramen, designers.

- Stephen Frears

Director, Protect, Designers, Scripts

I never thought I was very good at developing material. I grew up at the BBC where they sent you scripts.

- Stephen Frears

Thought, Very, BBC, Scripts

It never crossed my mind to make a film about Muhammad Ali or the Queen or any of them! They just come out of the blue.

- Stephen Frears

Queen, Mind, About, Crossed

I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. It's not really possible to teach film direction, but I sit there as a sort of testimony of experience and know-how, I suppose.

- Stephen Frears

Teach, Possible, Film, Testimony

Cyclists are insane. You're going through the Alps, climbing up mountains. There's this circus around them. They're so tough. When they have a day off, they go out and cycle 100 miles.

- Stephen Frears

Mountains, Through, Around, Climbing

Audiences aren't fools - their judgement really is important. And the true heroes of films are the investors. They take the risk, after all.

- Stephen Frears

Judgement, Investors, Films, Fools

I wouldn't want to make the same film every time. I get easily bored.

- Stephen Frears

Want, Same, Get, Bored

I like making films about different cultures. I'm interested in things that I've never encountered before. I try to put myself in the audience's position.

- Stephen Frears

Audience, Making, Films, Different Cultures

When I go and teach, it sort of opens me up in some way. And when you're open, you're more receptive.

- Stephen Frears

Teach, More, Some, Opens

I'm Jewish; I'm not religious at all, and I wouldn't pretend to know anything about Catholic politics.

- Stephen Frears

Politics, Religious, About, Catholic

When I was young, my family used to go and stay in hotels on the south coast in places like Devon. I loved those holidays because they were with my brothers, who were away at school; I really looked forward to them.

- Stephen Frears

Young, Away, Devon, Hotels

To be successful at anything, you need the right to fail, not just occasionally.

- Stephen Frears

Right, Need, Fail, Occasionally

I can't write; I don't think I'm even particularly good at telling a writer what's good or what's missing. So, actually having someone who can do that is a godsend.

- Stephen Frears

Think, Telling, Particularly, Missing

I want my films to get audiences. I am not interested in making them just for myself.

- Stephen Frears

Want, Making, Films, Not Interested

I have people around me. I have a semi-permanent crew. If I make a film, they just turn up. They don't even invite themselves. They don't ask if they can come - they just turn up!

- Stephen Frears

Turn, Film, Come, Invite

I have to travel for my work, so the idea of getting on planes depresses me. They give me frequent-flyer points, and I think, 'I don't want them, because I'm sick of flying!'

- Stephen Frears

Think, Give, I Think, Give Me

I never expected to become a director. It never occurred to me to come to America, to Hollywood. It's all been a wonderful accident. I'm still amazed every time I finish a film.

- Stephen Frears

Hollywood, Been, Still, Accident

I only watch films in the cinema. I'm old fashioned. I'm a lost cause.

- Stephen Frears

Watch, Old, Films, Cinema

This black hole that people talk about in my career in the '70s, when I didn't make any films - in retrospect, what I was doing was learning my job.

- Stephen Frears

Career, Doing, Films, Hole

Oh, I live in London. So, whether I like it or not, I am a member of the metropolitan elite. If I were anywhere else in the country, I'd hate me.

- Stephen Frears

London, Country, Like, Elite

I remember reading the script for 'Dangerous Liaisons' and thinking that I could quite happily spend the rest of my life watching this film; the story and the writing were so wonderful.

- Stephen Frears

Rest, My Life, I Remember, Script

I'm from the Midlands. I lived in London for 50 years, but I'm not sure that I think of myself as a Londoner. I can see that we're all metropolitan, whether we are Londoners or not.

- Stephen Frears

London, Think, I Think, Metropolitan

I've always found poverty a source of strength.

- Stephen Frears

Strength, Always, Found, Poverty

It's Marvel movies that get the big audiences.

- Stephen Frears

Movies, Big, Marvel, Audiences

There's one thing now that I experience every day when I'm making a film. I get up and think to myself, 'Am I going to be able to do it today?' I figure as long as I have that fear, I'll be alright.

- Stephen Frears

Experience, Long, Every Day, Alright

There isn't a route to success. Make a film. If people like it, you'll be okay. There is no route that I know of.

- Stephen Frears

Success, Okay, Like, Route

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.