Give them pleasure – the same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This quote delves into the intricate art of filmmaking, suggesting that the goal of a filmmaker should be to evoke intense emotions in the audience, akin to the jarring sensation of awakening from a nightmare. To fully understand the depth of this statement, it's essential to dissect its various components.
The first part, "Give them pleasure," addresses the fundamental purpose of cinema – to entertain and engage the audience. Filmmakers aim to create a sensory and emotional experience that allows viewers to escape from their daily lives and immerse themselves in a narrative. This pleasure can take various forms, such as laughter, excitement, or even tears, but the underlying objective is to provide an enjoyable and captivating journey.
The second part, "the same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare," introduces a more nuanced perspective. Waking up from a nightmare is a unique emotional moment characterized by intense relief. In that fleeting moment of realization that the horrors of the dream were not real, there is an exhilarating surge of pleasure. This comparison suggests that filmmakers should seek to create a profound emotional impact, one that provokes a strong, visceral response from the audience.
The juxtaposition of pleasure and nightmares in this quote highlights the complex nature of storytelling. It underscores the idea that a great film is not necessarily one that offers a constant stream of joy and positivity; instead, it may engage with darker themes and emotions. By alluding to the relief experienced upon waking from a nightmare, it suggests that even films exploring challenging or unsettling subjects can be deeply satisfying if they ultimately provide a sense of catharsis or enlightenment.
In essence, this quote encourages filmmakers to be bold and ambitious in their storytelling. It encourages them to push the boundaries of emotion, taking the audience on a rollercoaster of feelings that can be as exhilarating as they are thought-provoking. It reminds us that the power of cinema lies in its ability to elicit powerful reactions, making us reflect, empathize, and connect with the stories and characters on the screen. In doing so, it reinforces the idea that great films are not just about entertainment but about creating lasting, meaningful experiences for the audience.
Who said the quote?
The quote "Give them pleasure – the same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare." is often attributed to Alfred Hitchcock (Bio / Quotes). Alfred Hitchcock was an English film director and producer, known for his suspenseful and psychologically complex films that became classics in the thriller genre.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
