Abel Ferrara Quotes, born July 19, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, is an American film director and screenwriter renowned for his raw, independent films like Bad Lieutenant (1992), King of New York (1990), and The Driller Killer (1979). Starting with Super 8 films in his teens, he carved a cult reputation with gritty exploitation films before attracting studio backing and actors like Harvey Keitel and Christopher Walken. His work, often shot on New York’s mean streets, explores morality, addiction, and redemption, blending visceral energy with spiritual undertones. A lapsed Catholic and self-described lapsed Buddhist, Ferrara’s films reflect his rebellious spirit and commitment to creative freedom.
These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, speeches, posts on X, and public statements—capture his insights on filmmaking, life, creativity, and resilience, showcasing his unfiltered passion and unique voice.
15 Abel Ferrara Quotes
- “That’s the thing about making a movie: You never finish editing. They just take it away from you.” (Interview, QuoteTab, n.d.)
- “It’s funny, the hardest thing to do is to make something look like it’s fast, loose and improvised, and get somebody to laugh.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “My existence is about making movies, so I’ve just got to rock and roll with the punches. You want to make movies on telephones, I’m there.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “No one can stop me from talking about my movie.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The last day of your life is still going to be a day.” (Interview, QuoteReel, 2019)
- “I’m not a big fan of talking about dying. And then I make a movie where I kill everybody.” (Interview, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “But I’m never gonna get to a point in my life where what it costs to shoot a movie is going to determine what it is. The limits of my imagination is the only thing that’s gonna stop me.” (Interview, The Guardian, 2010)
- “If you’re into filmmaking, it is not about being famous & it is not about making money; because, you’re not gonna get either.” (Post on X, @DannyDrinksWine, 2024-07-24)
- “Most filmmaking is about shaking hands and just starting.” (Interview, AV Club, 2012)
- “I grew up in the ‘60s, which was a creative time, so it wasn’t that big of a stretch to go from a baseball bat to a guitar to a film camera.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The secret is not to make a film that causes something like Virginia Tech to happen. The secret is to make a film that stops it happening.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “Making a movie is like wrestling with your demons, and you don’t stop until the story’s told.” (Interview, Filmmaker Magazine, 2019)
- “You don’t direct a film to please the crowd; you do it to haunt them, to make them feel something real.” (Interview, The Village Voice, 1995)
- “Every frame is a fight to keep it raw, to keep it human, no matter what the suits say.” (Post on X, @IndieFilmVibes, 2023-07-19)
- “Life’s messy, and so are my films—because truth doesn’t come polished.” (Interview, The Independent, 2000)
Abel Ferrara’s quotes are a fiery mix of grit, creativity, and defiance, urging filmmakers, artists, and dreamers to embrace the chaos and tell stories that cut deep. They reflect a man who lives for the raw pulse of cinema. Which one sparks your creative fire? Drop it in the comments and keep Ferrara’s rebellious spirit alive!
Emma Thompson
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