42 Quotes by Stephen Frears

I grew up with those MGM musicals, so I have an idea what I like from a musical. It helped to read a book about making musicals, however.

I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. It's not really possible to teach film direction, but I sit there as a sort of testimony of experience and know-how, I suppose.

When I go and teach, it sort of opens me up in some way. And when you're open, you're more receptive.

Truth is quite constricting, in a way. You endlessly see at the start of a film 'This is a true story'.

I've tried to draw a line between my films and identify the themes that keep returning, but I can't. I wish sometimes I could identify the type of films I do, but so far I have not. Whatever strikes me, is about as analytical as I can get.

It was very very English. It was like a sort licensed national dirty joke.

These were women who did not make a habit of taking their clothes off in public before they began performing at the Windmill. I suppose we could view all of this as politically incorrect, but the truth is that what happened at the Windmill brought many people together as a means of escaping the tragedy that was surrounding them.

I've always found poverty a source of strength.

I want my films to get audiences. I am not interested in making them just for myself.