Believe Quote by Steven Soderbergh
“I can make a movie about Lee Harvey Oswald and make you feel what he feels and make you understand why he believes what he believes. That doesn't mean I think you should go out and shoot JFK.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing filmmaking, 2015
A filmmaker can convey a character’s inner world, fostering empathy without endorsing their actions.
In simple terms: Show empathy for a character without supporting their deeds.
Key Takeaway
Use storytelling to build understanding, not approval.
Themes
empathy
storytelling
ethics
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- film festivals
- creative writing workshops
- media literacy courses
- public discussions
Key Concepts
perspective taking
narrative influence
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can creators separate empathy from approval?
- What responsibilities do storytellers have?
A Different Perspective
Audience may misinterpret empathy as endorsement.
![“There was an American girl, Priscilla Johnson. She worked for U.P. in Moscow. She knew [John] Kennedy, and she met [Lee Harvey] Oswald around the same time I did. But I can tell you something else almost as curious.” quote by Truman Capote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/288/truman-capote-376_curious_there-was-an-american-girl-priscilla-joh_1014953.jpg)
![“[Donald Trump] spreading preposterous rumors that [Ted] Cruz's father had connections to Lee Harvey Oswald and the assassination of JFK. That put a bit of a damper on the bromance ultimately culminating in Cruz's epic non-endorsement at the Republican convention.” quote by Chris Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/004/chris-hayes-2208_assassination_donald-trump-spreading-preposterous-rumo_2046803.jpg)
![“I've never been a snob. It [movie] is just about stories. And I've never felt just because it's a big screen and you plop down your eight bucks that gives it a special meaning. It's just "Are you good at telling a story?"” quote by Steven Soderbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/578/steven-soderbergh-2075_big-screen_i-ve-never-been-a-snob-it-movie-is-just_244324.jpg)
