When we say there's a dearth of women directors, it's not that there's a lack of women who direct: it's a lack of opportunities and access for women to direct and be supported in that. Ava DuVernay accessdearthdirect Change image and share on social
Why do we always have to see black people in hindsight? Why are the Hollywood movies always historical? What about the contemporary image of black people? Ava DuVernay blackcontemporaryhindsight Change image and share on social
There can be a progression to the dream; there can be steps to it. When you dissect any successful person's story, it's really rare that it was all or nothing. It's steps, and I just try to remind myself of that in terms of the things that I want; it's like, everything is a step, leading you to where you need to go. Ava DuVernay dissectdreamlead share on social
There's a big difference between the independent film world and the Hollywood film world, and I don't know that I understood that until I got into certain rooms, and people's faces go blank when you talk about Sundance. Ava DuVernay bigblankdifference share on social
Positive characterizations are complex characterizations. That's all we need to know. They shouldn't be saccharine. They shouldn't feel like medicine. Ava DuVernay characterizationcomplexfeel Change image and share on social
I usually make films with $2 and a paper clip. Ava DuVernay clipfilmmake Change image and share on social
I like silence. Aesthetically, I feel strangled by the fast cutting and a wall of sound. And I think showing black people thinking onscreen is radical. Ava DuVernay aestheticallyblackcut Change image and share on social
If you walk into a room, and there is no one that's not like you there, whether it's a woman or a person of color, anyone that's different from you, you should be able to say this is a problem. We need allies in that room to say that video, this room, this company, these ideas, this film, this whatever, this is not right - this is not good enough. Ava DuVernay allycolorcompany share on social
Today, when you look at social media, you see that the narrative can be overtaken by people just from Twitter and Instagram. I know when Ferguson was going down those first few nights, I was watching feeds on the ground on Twitter, not CNN. Ava DuVernay cnnfeedferguson share on social
It's emotional for artists who are women and people of color to have less value placed on our worldview. Ava DuVernay artistcoloremotional Change image and share on social