Skip to content

There are two kinds of directors; those who have the…

“There are two kinds of directors; those who have the public in mind when they conceive and make their films and those who don't consider the public at all. For the former, cinema is an art of spectacle; for the latter, it is an individual adventure. There is nothing intrinsically better about one…” quote by François Truffaut
Download Open image
““There are two kinds of directors; those who have the public in mind when they conceive and make their films and those who don't consider the public at all. For the former, cinema is an art of spectacle; for the latter, it is an individual adventure. There is nothing intrinsically better about one or the other; it's simply a matter of different approaches. For Hitchcock as for Renoir, as for that matter almost all American directors, a film has not succeeded unless it is a success, that is, unless it touches the public that one has had in mind right from the moment of choosing the subject matter to the end of production. While Bresson, Tati, Rossellini, Ray make films their own way and then invite the public to join the "game," Renoir, Clouzot, Hitchcock and Hawks make movies for the public, and ask themselves all the questions they think will interest their audience. Alfred Hitchcock, who is a remarkably intelligent man, formed the habit early--right from the start of his career in England--of predicting each aspect of his films. All his life he has worked to make his own tastes coincide with the public', emphasizing humor in his English period and suspense in his American period. This dosage of humor and suspense has made Hitchcock one of the most commercial directors in the world (his films regularly bring in four times what they cost). It is the strict demands he makes on himself and on his art that have made him a great director.””

François Truffaut

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Directors differ: some craft films for mass appeal, others pursue personal vision; both can succeed if they engage audiences.

In simple terms: Some directors aim for public appeal, others for personal art; both can work.

Key Takeaway

Know your audience and stay true to your vision.

Themes

cinema art vs. commerce audience engagement directorial intent

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

critical theoretical

When to use this quote

  • film production
  • marketing strategy
  • creative process
  • audience testing
  • career planning

Key Concepts

spectacle individual adventure commercial success artistic integrity

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you prioritize audience appeal or personal expression?
  • How can you blend both without compromising?
A Different Perspective

Balancing personal expression with audience expectations can limit artistic risk.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by François Truffaut

Explore all 49 François Truffaut quotes

More Alfred hitchcock quotes

Browse all 83 Alfred hitchcock quotes