I'm more interested in people the way they are than what they've done onscreen before. So I don't worry much about the acting skills or the name, the status. I just think, 'Do I believe this person? Do I like them? Are they interesting, complicated, have the right aura, energy?' Pawel Pawlikowski actauracomplicate share on social
What's been lost is allowing cinema to be artful, playful, to have ambiguity, to have form, to be contemplative, to wish to be art. This slightly timeless approach to reality, like Chekhov in literature, where you look at all humanity and try to find what's transcendent. Pawel Pawlikowski allowambiguityapproach share on social
To cast Ida, it took ages, and I was a bit desperate. I couldn't find somebody I could believe in. I spent months looking for the lead among young actresses and drama students. Pawel Pawlikowski actressagebite Change image and share on social
One of my favorite writers is Chekhov. I love his attitude toward the world. Just accept things for what they are. Don't judge. Be moral as you tell your story, but have no moral at the end. Just look at it. Pawel Pawlikowski acceptattitudechekhov share on social
In America, I don't think you have the creative freedom that I'm used to. Traditionally, it's a producer's cinema here. Pawel Pawlikowski americacinemacreative Change image and share on social
I'm so happy when someone does something original, and there's no focus group or planning committee. If the cinema doesn't get an injection of that once in a while, we're in trouble. Pawel Pawlikowski cinemacommitteefocus Change image and share on social
I don't think women are that vastly different from men. I'm a bit of a woman myself. But I'm not a feminist filmmaker. I'm not making a feminist thesis to prove that women are important. I just happen to make films with strong characters that are women. Pawel Pawlikowski bitecharacterfeminist share on social
Every good film is a bit like a dream, when you come away from it. That's what you should aspire to, rather than some social document. I want to create a little world that will stay with the audience. Pawel Pawlikowski aspireaudiencebite Change image and share on social
It's wonderful that Poland is free again and there's open debate and people can pursue their interests. I'm all for it. Pawel Pawlikowski debatefreeinterest Change image and share on social
I'm not emotionally excited by the power of cinema's tricks anymore. Pawel Pawlikowski anymorecinemaemotionally Change image and share on social
