Cinema Quote by Alfred Hitchcock
“In the documentary the basic material has been created by God, whereas in the fiction film the director is a God; he must create life.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Unknown, date unknown
He likens a documentary director to a creator of reality, while a fictional director assumes god‑like power to invent life.
In simple terms: Doc directors present reality; fiction directors create it.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the creative responsibility of storytelling.
Themes
creativity
authority
artistic responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
philosophical
Type
artistic
theoretical
When to use this quote
- documentary filmmaking
- fiction directing
- creative control
Key Concepts
god metaphor
creative power
filmmaking
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel directors should be seen as creators?
- How does this view affect audience expectations?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify collaborative nature of film production.
