Making this movie as a period piece about a period that…
![“Making this movie as a period piece about a period that was very recent in people's minds. I was in Taiwan [during the 1970s], so I hope I did all right. Otherwise, it could be the biggest embarrassment of my life. Also, the story is not linear, it's patchy, like a cubist painting, and there is…” quote by Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/69b/ang-lee-2496_core_making-this-movie-as-a-period-piece-abou_796900.jpg)
“Making this movie as a period piece about a period that was very recent in people's minds. I was in Taiwan [during the 1970s], so I hope I did all right. Otherwise, it could be the biggest embarrassment of my life. Also, the story is not linear, it's patchy, like a cubist painting, and there is always the possibility it will not hold together, it will fall apart. The tone is part satire, part serious drama, part tragedy, all mixed together, and it has to hit an emotional core. That's also very scary.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Lee describes the challenge of creating a recent historical film with a non‑linear, cubist structure, balancing satire, drama, and tragedy while aiming for emotional impact.
In simple terms: He worries about coherence and emotional resonance in a complex, mixed‑tone film.
Key Takeaway
Embrace structural risk, prioritize emotional truth.
Themes
film
history
structure
tone
emotion
Mood
anxious
hopeful
creative
Type
artistic
reflective
When to use this quote
- directing a period film
- screenwriting a non‑linear script
- editing for coherence
- marketing a mixed‑genre movie
Key Concepts
non‑linear narrative
genre blending
artistic risk
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure emotional clarity in a fragmented narrative?
- What balance of satire and drama serves the story best?
A Different Perspective
Risk of incoherence may alienate audiences if emotional core is unclear.