--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We're surrounded by violence, and we see…" description: "\"We're surrounded by violence, and we see so much of it on TV, especially the news programs. We almost become numb. And that forces filmmakers to try to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/093/jan-de-bont-25158_almost_we-re-surrounded-by-violence-and-we-see_1767520.png" --- # We're surrounded by violence, and we see so much of it on… ![“We're surrounded by violence, and we see so much of it on TV, especially the news programs. We almost become numb. And that forces filmmakers to try to outdo themselves... They say, 'Look what I can do,' and it becomes like a showoff thing. To me, that's ridiculous. Filmmaking isn't a contest!” quote by Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/093/jan-de-bont-25158_almost_we-re-surrounded-by-violence-and-we-see_1767520.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/093/jan-de-bont-25158_almost_we-re-surrounded-by-violence-and-we-see_1767520.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/093/jan-de-bont-25158_almost_we-re-surrounded-by-violence-and-we-see_1767520.png) > “We're surrounded by violence, and we see so much of it on TV, especially the news programs. We almost become numb. And that forces filmmakers to try to outdo themselves... They say, 'Look what I can do,' and it becomes like a showoff thing. To me, that's ridiculous. Filmmaking isn't a contest!” [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Constant exposure to violent media desensitizes viewers, prompting creators to over‑showcase to regain impact, which the speaker finds absurd. **In simple terms:** Violence on TV numbs us; filmmakers overcompensate. Key Takeaway Seek substance over spectacle. Themes media saturation desensitization artistic integrity Mood critical analytical Type ethical industry When to use this quote - news consumption - film production - creative direction - audience engagement Key Concepts cultural impact ethical storytelling Questions to Reflect On - How can filmmakers balance realism and sensationalism? - What responsibilities do creators have to viewers? A Different Perspective Over‑showcasing can alienate audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Contest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contest/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Filmmakers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filmmakers/) [Filmmaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filmmaking/) [News](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/news/) [Numb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/numb/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) ## Related quotes > [I always aspire to that, where it feels like the film was made by the characters as opposed to the filmmakers. I try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spike-jonze/i-always-aspire-to-that-where-it-feels-like-the-film-was-made-by-the/) [Spike Jonze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spike-jonze/) > [I think the only thing filmmakers can do is try to make good movies and make them as long as they allow us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-zemeckis/i-think-the-only-thing-filmmakers-can-do-is-try-to-make-good-movies/) [Robert Zemeckis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-zemeckis/) > [So, if falling crime rates coincide with the rise of violent video games and increasing violence on TV and at the cinema, should we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-mackay/so-if-falling-crime-rates-coincide-with-the-rise-of-violent-video/) [Hugh Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-mackay/) > [All kinds of violence on the TV. You're not supposed to watch violence on the TV. Children, they can't watch it 'cause they're afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/all-kinds-of-violence-on-the-tv-you-re-not-supposed-to-watch-violence/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [You go to the movies to be transported. That's the responsibility of filmmakers and the people that hire the filmmakers - to try and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-watts/you-go-to-the-movies-to-be-transported-that-s-the-responsibility-of/) [Jon Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-watts/) > [I like filmmakers that try to touch upon the metaphysical, the things that are behind all this, that you can't actually physically interact with,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-cahill/i-like-filmmakers-that-try-to-touch-upon-the-metaphysical-the-things/) Mike Cahill > [My advice to emerging documentary filmmakers would be: try to find other people, a group, a cooperative that you can work with. Filmmaking is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-yates/my-advice-to-emerging-documentary-filmmakers-would-be-try-to-find/) [Pamela Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-yates/) > [People came to the All-Star Game to see the dunk contest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominique-wilkins/people-came-to-the-all-star-game-to-see-the-dunk-contest/) [Dominique Wilkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominique-wilkins/) > [You go to a contest, and it's like, 'OK, I'm here for two weeks. All my energy, time, thinking, and everything is going toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-john-florence/you-go-to-a-contest-and-it-s-like-ok-i-m-here-for-two-weeks-all-my/) [John John Florence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-john-florence/) > [He asked if I was a songwriter, and I said yeah, that I was in town because I'd won this contest. He said, okay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-godfrey/he-asked-if-i-was-a-songwriter-and-i-said-yeah-that-i-was-in-town/) [Arthur Godfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-godfrey/) > [For many observers, a child who has known nothing but war, a child for whom the Kalashnikov is the only way to make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ishmael-beah/for-many-observers-a-child-who-has-known-nothing-but-war-a-child-for/) [Ishmael Beah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ishmael-beah/) > [Everything is a contest. All dealings among men are a contest in which some will succeed and others fail. And some are failing quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/everything-is-a-contest-all-dealings-among-men-are-a-contest-in-which/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [My parents are very middle class. They don't have all this money to just be throwing around, but they would always give it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-bargatze/my-parents-are-very-middle-class-they-don-t-have-all-this-money-to/) [Nate Bargatze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-bargatze/) > [I didn't get hurt in the contest. I hurt it the next day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-piersall/i-didn-t-get-hurt-in-the-contest-i-hurt-it-the-next-day/) [Jimmy Piersall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-piersall/) > [I won contest after contest until finally I realized, "Ok, I am the best in the world, but now what?" So I opened my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-hosoi/i-won-contest-after-contest-until-finally-i-realized-ok-i-am-the-best/) [Christian Hosoi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-hosoi/) ## More by Jan de Bont > [We're all complex human beings, and if some of that complexity shows through, I think it's advantageous for the movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/we-re-all-complex-human-beings-and-if-some-of-that-complexity-shows/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [The quality of CGI, audiences are now so used to it. They don't know what is CGI and what is real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/the-quality-of-cgi-audiences-are-now-so-used-to-it-they-don-t-know/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [I really believe action will always be there and will never disappear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/i-really-believe-action-will-always-be-there-and-will-never-disappear/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [Technology is a major tool in exploring and challenging your creativity, but it can also overtake your creativity... My mind goes very fast, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/technology-is-a-major-tool-in-exploring-and-challenging-your/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [As a director, you try to find what is creative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/as-a-director-you-try-to-find-what-is-creative/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [It's always an enormous pressure when you do a sequel. The demands are so high, and it's expensive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/it-s-always-an-enormous-pressure-when-you-do-a-sequel-the-demands-are/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [Lara Croft is such a strong individual, she's very driven, she doesn't need a man, she's speaks her own mind, and that she's in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/lara-croft-is-such-a-strong-individual-she-s-very-driven-she-doesn-t/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [I think the audience would like to see movies that are stunning to watch. I really think they'd like to see spectacles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/i-think-the-audience-would-like-to-see-movies-that-are-stunning-to/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [I had a very strong-willed mother, who I totally adored. She was always in control of her life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/i-had-a-very-strong-willed-mother-who-i-totally-adored-she-was-always/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [We are creating a fabulous franchise with an incredible female action hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/we-are-creating-a-fabulous-franchise-with-an-incredible-female-action/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [Being in an area of the planet where scientists believe mankind started is quite amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/being-in-an-area-of-the-planet-where-scientists-believe-mankind/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [I think there are a lot more relationship scenes in my movies that people tend to overlook. A lot of scenes really feel real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/i-think-there-are-a-lot-more-relationship-scenes-in-my-movies-that/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [In regards to The Haunting, people compared it to the old movie, which is unfair. We didn't have the rights to the movie. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/in-regards-to-the-haunting-people-compared-it-to-the-old-movie-which/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [The bad guys are not typical; they are not just bad, they are interesting. They might be good or bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/the-bad-guys-are-not-typical-they-are-not-just-bad-they-are/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [Summer movies are spectacles; that's what you pay 10 dollars to see. You want to get teased by effects sometimes. I think that will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/summer-movies-are-spectacles-that-s-what-you-pay-10-dollars-to-see/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) [Explore all 23 Jan de Bont quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) ## More Almost quotes > [My mother worked in the white world, but I lived almost exclusively in a black world. I don't think I had ever seen a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-p-jones/my-mother-worked-in-the-white-world-but-i-lived-almost-exclusively-in/) [Edward P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-p-jones/) > [The shelves of many evangelicals are full of books that point out the flaws in evolution, discuss it only as a theory, and almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-shelves-of-many-evangelicals-are-full-of-books-that-point-out-the/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [Music is almost like a therapy for me. It helps keep me centered and think straight. Before I discovered it, I was walking around,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/music-is-almost-like-a-therapy-for-me-it-helps-keep-me-centered-and/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [My favourite designers always create a strong silhouette, like McQueen and Tom Ford and Alaia. I like structured things that you can throw on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liberty-ross/my-favourite-designers-always-create-a-strong-silhouette-like-mcqueen/) [Liberty Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liberty-ross/) > [Harry Truman wrote scathing letters, but he almost never sent them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dallek/harry-truman-wrote-scathing-letters-but-he-almost-never-sent-them/) [Robert Dallek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dallek/) > [It's almost inevitable there's going to be an escalation on both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-luther/it-s-almost-inevitable-there-s-going-to-be-an-escalation-on-both-sides/) Bill Luther > [I like men who are very cool but who are also so brilliant that they are almost insane. Sean Penn, Gary Oldman, Bob Dylan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolene-blalock/i-like-men-who-are-very-cool-but-who-are-also-so-brilliant-that-they/) [Jolene Blalock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolene-blalock/) > [If you watch wrestling, you now know the hip-hop culture is being represented with wrestling. For the longest time, the cultures have almost been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cena/if-you-watch-wrestling-you-now-know-the-hip-hop-culture-is-being/) [John Cena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cena/) > [Almost every Monday I have a charity thing. I like that. I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yogi-berra/almost-every-monday-i-have-a-charity-thing-i-like-that-i-do/) [Yogi Berra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yogi-berra/) > [Pete Seeger is a modest, unassuming, cheerful, and kind-natured man. He's a good folk singer, if you can stand folk singing. And he's such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/pete-seeger-is-a-modest-unassuming-cheerful-and-kind-natured-man-he-s/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Almost immediately, I remember right when Tikrit even fell, a few days after Baghdad fell, there was talks of insurgency, there was talks of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farnaz-fassihi/almost-immediately-i-remember-right-when-tikrit-even-fell-a-few-days/) Farnaz Fassihi > [While it is often true that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, it seems like Yahoo's almost obsessive focus on Google is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-swisher/while-it-is-often-true-that-the-enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend-it/) [Kara Swisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kara-swisher/) > [I'd had episodes before, but I swept them under the carpet. This time, I couldn't do that because everyone knew. 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