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About this quote

What does it mean?
Directors hold responsibility for audience emotional states and sometimes seek discomfort to provoke thought. This challenges the norm of entertainment comfort.
In plain terms
You are responsible for how your movie makes people feel.
What can you take from it?
Intentionally design audience feelings for thematic effect.

Where it applies

  • directing
  • screenwriting
  • film criticism

Putting it to work

  • tone setting
  • pacing
  • narrative structure

Questions to consider

  • How do you want viewers to feel?
  • Is discomfort a valid goal?

Another view

Constant discomfort can alienate general audiences.

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