George Hickenlooper Quotes

#1. At times doc filmmaking feels more rewarding creatively. Because you are creating something out of pure cinema - instead of narrative cinema, where you've got a script and a cast and you build from your foundation, whereas in documentary, you're building out of chaos.

George Hickenlooper

#2. Obviously you have a responsibility - one would like to think there is such a thing as ethics in filmmaking.

George Hickenlooper

#3. 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

#4. 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

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

George Hickenlooper

#6. 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

#7. 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

#8. The arc of the celebrity phenomenon ultimately is: everything turns to dust and everything does go away.

George Hickenlooper

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

George Hickenlooper

#10. 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

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

George Hickenlooper

#12. The promise of celebrity is a transcendental human state of existence. It's not real. We do know the fact that celebrities as mortal beings exist and if you are looking for love by being famous or being around the famous - ultimately that goes away.

George Hickenlooper

#13. 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

#14. 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