Norman Jewison quotes

Norman Jewison is a Canadian film director and producer noted for his versatile storytelling and socially conscious themes. His acclaimed works include classics such as "In the Heat of the Night," "Fiddler on the Roof," and "Moonstruck." He has influenced generations of filmmakers and earned numerous international awards throughout his prolific career. Here are 32 of his quotes:

We're always on the side of the animal that's being chased. We always seem to be on the side of the rabbit or the fox and not on the side of the hounds. (Norman Jewison)
Michael Caine is a movie star, but he's also a great actor. I can't say that about every movie star. It's the concentration he has. View quote
Norman Jewison
I'm going to do an adaptation of the Italian film, Bread and Tulips. I really like that film. View quote
Norman Jewison
We also have a tendency to root for the fugitive. We're always on the side of the animal being chased. View quote
Norman Jewison
When I make a film, I never want the film to become a vehicle of social propaganda. If I wanted to do that, I'd make documentaries. View quote
Norman Jewison
Do what you're told, and everything will be all right. View quote
Norman Jewison
I still get a lot of material but I find that as one gets older you get more fussy. You know you're going spend a year or a year and a half on this and you know there are only so many films in you so you get a little bit more selective. View quote
Norman Jewison
I don't like to think that maybe I'm just getting old. I'm not too excited about watching a huge explosion. I'm more interested in people and characters. View quote
Norman Jewison
I think you get better as you get older. View quote
Norman Jewison
Everything Sholom Aleichem talks about in his plays and his short stories is about people, family, man's relationship with his God, the breaking down of tradition. View quote
Norman Jewison
I'm in the mood for another Moonstruck experience, for another romantic comedy. (Norman Jewison)
Betrayal... is my favorite subject. View quote
Norman Jewison
I work with a lot of movie stars. View quote
Norman Jewison
I was really excited to have the opportunity to make Fiddler. View quote
Norman Jewison
But Madonna has a small amount of talent when it comes to movies. View quote
Norman Jewison
Look, I'm just a storyteller. When I make a film, I never want the film to become a vehicle of social propaganda. View quote
Norman Jewison
I think I've done pretty well. I've had about 46, or 47 nominations from my movies, and my films have won about 12 awards, so I don't have any complaints. View quote
Norman Jewison
I mean they're making remakes of my films and I'm not even dead yet! Why would you want to make a remake? View quote
Norman Jewison
It's an entire industry focusing on young male viewers that want action and violence. They sell us something that isn't valid. They're selling films like a product. View quote
Norman Jewison
A lot of American actors I work with are in character all day long. You can't talk to them. It's Method and the whole thing. View quote
Norman Jewison
I was very disappointed that Denzel didn't win Best Actor for The Hurricane because I thought he deserved it. (Norman Jewison)
In America there's no rights for the artist, so whatever films I've made kind of belong to the studio. View quote
Norman Jewison
I don't make films to win prizes. I make films to make films. View quote
Norman Jewison
And I think all Nazis didn't see themselves as bad people. I've never met a racist yet who thought he was a racist. Or an anti-Semite who thought they were anti-Semitic. View quote
Norman Jewison
And even Moonstruck - for some reason the audience were just in the mood for a very romantic film, because it's one of the few romantic comedies to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. View quote
Norman Jewison

Norman Jewison

Norman Jewison - Image
Photo: Canadian Film Centre from Toronto, Canada, CC BY 2.0
Occupation: Canadian Director
Born: July 21, 1926
Died: January 20, 2024
Quotes count: 32