Welcome to a curated collection of insightful quotes by the legendary filmmaker, Francois Truffaut. A pioneer of the French New Wave cinema movement, Truffaut’s cinematic contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of filmmaking. His unique storytelling style, characterized by its realism, emotional depth, and nuanced character portrayals, continues to inspire filmmakers and cinephiles alike.
Throughout his illustrious career, Truffaut not only directed iconic films but also penned profound observations on the art of cinema, the human condition, and the creative process itself. His words resonate with wisdom, offering invaluable insights into the complexities of life and the power of storytelling. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker seeking inspiration or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of eloquent prose, Truffaut’s quotes are sure to captivate and provoke thought.
The film of tomorrow will be an act of love. Francois Truffaut
When humor can be made to alternate with melancholy, one has a success, but when the same things are funny and melancholic at the same time, it’s just wonderful. Francois Truffaut
What switched me to films was the flood of American pictures into Paris after the Liberation. Francois Truffaut
The film of tomorrow will not be directed by civil servants of the camera, but by artists for whom shooting a film constitutes a wonderful and thrilling adventure. Francois Truffaut
I had thought of writing, actually, and that later on I’d be a novelist. Francois Truffaut
I prefer to be busy all day long, and when you work for someone else, you’re not busy enough. Francois Truffaut
At first, I wasn’t sure whether I’d be a critic or a filmmaker, but I knew it would be something like that. Francois Truffaut
In love, women are professionals, men are amateurs. Francois Truffaut
If I have some free time, I leave Paris with some books about the cinema. If I’m not filming, I’m watching films. Francois Truffaut
I’ve always had the impression that real militants are like cleaning women, doing a thankless, daily but necessary job. Francois Truffaut
Is the cinema more important than life? Francois Truffaut
Film lovers are sick people. Francois Truffaut
Taste is a result of a thousand distastes. Francois Truffaut
Some day I’ll make a film that critics will like. When I have money to waste. Francois Truffaut
I may find myself changing my notions about what I want to do right in the middle of a film. And on days when I’m feeling merry, I shoot merry scenes, and on gloomy days, I shoot gloomy ones. Francois Truffaut
During the war, I saw many films that made me fall in love with the cinema. Francois Truffaut
I’d skip school regularly to see movies – even in the morning, in the small Parisian theaters that opened early. Francois Truffaut
To be a film-maker, you are almost forced to be surrounded by contradictions… You must have talents of so many different kinds – talents that are contradictory. Francois Truffaut
Hitchcock loves to be misunderstood, because he has based his whole life around misunderstandings. Francois Truffaut
The film of tomorrow will resemble the person who made it, and the number of spectators will be proportional to the number of friends the director has. Francois Truffaut
I want my audience to be constantly captivated, bewitched, so that it leaves the theatre dazed, stunned to be back on the pavement. Francois Truffaut
The film of tomorrow appears to me as even more personal than an individual and autobiographical novel, like a confession, or a diary. Francois Truffaut
An actor is never so great as when he reminds you of an animal – falling like a cat, lying like a dog, moving like a fox. Francois Truffaut
I am less instinctive as I try to be more professional – about the music, about the sound. Francois Truffaut
I have always preferred the reflection of the life to life itself. Francois Truffaut
