Yorgos Lanthimos quotes

Even before the economic crisis in Greece there was no structure for making films - no proper industry, and the structure didn't help filmmakers at all. So filmmakers had to help each other, and make very, very low-budget films. Now with the crisis, things got a bit worse, but filmmakers are still going to be making films. It didn't change that much.
-- Yorgos Lanthimos

#Helping #Film #Economic

I was making commercials. That's how I learned the craft. That was the marketing part of it: directing commercial for TV. It wasn't the most common thing to become a filmmaker in Greece. I started by saying I was interested in marketing and have a proper job in advertising and commercials. Basically, I studied film to learn how to do marketing, and commercials. As I studied film I learned I'd be interested in making films instead of commercials.
-- Yorgos Lanthimos

#Marketing #Common #Advertising

It's true that there are younger people making films, and there are different kinds of films. This has created some attention in what's coming out of Greece, and people like to find a way to name this new ethnic cinema. It's not like there's a movement, or a common philosophy in making these films. They're just things that happened, and now people are paying attention to it.
-- Yorgos Lanthimos

#Philosophy #People #Different

American culture is kind of a universal culture, I guess. It's things Greeks grew up with, common references you can use. It's very interesting.
-- Yorgos Lanthimos

#Interesting #Greek #Culture

I'm planning some films in the U.K., and it will have pros and cons. It takes a lot more time to set up a film in the U.K., because you can't rely on much. In Greece, friends show up and bring what they can and you make the film. Well, that's a bit simpler than how it really is. But when you make a film with proper industries, it takes more time to synch all these things.
-- Yorgos Lanthimos

#Planning #Film #Rely

I would love to get great performances from actors as a director, because that's what I'm always looking for, a director that's going to help me go places I've never been before.

I knew that even if I was able to call for help, I was in a place so remote that it wasn't likely there would be anyone who could help me. And even if there were, it could take weeks.

I am but God's finger, John. If he would condemn Elizabeth, she will be condemned.

I have had unsuccessful films, but I learned a lot from those films. I give my failures as much importance as my success.

I come from a world where you get the film done, that's a success.

I'm always honored, but I think for every 100 of those that come along, one of them is actually going to happen. And, the fact that this was an offer on a major film that had a start date, was pretty impressive.

While it is true that we must seek value added industries like food processing plants and call center operations, we must do what is necessary to expand and develop our economic profile.

Freedom of expression is no longer a political nicety, but a precondition for economic competitiveness.

I am not confident that Europe can make it.

All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists, underestimate the economic strength they have.