A Quick Salute to John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands
Shadows (1959), Faces (1968), Husbands (1970), A Woman Under the Influence (1974), Opening Night (1977), and more came from Cassavetes' direction. Rowlands' acting was in much of his work--she was great.
They were a powerful team.
Such interesting, honest moments, original films. The actor as a filmmaker.
Cassavetes said he only cared about love.
"A good movie will ask you questions you don't already know the answers to. Why would I want to make a film about something I already understand?" -John Cassavetes
"All creative writers need a certain amount of time when they're creating something where nobody should criticize them at all - at all. Even if the criticism is valid or good, they should just shut up, and let that person create. Because at a certain point you have to make it your own - not the world's, but your own." -Gena Rowlands
.jpg)
Hi! I liked your post. Recently I tried to watch A Woman Under The Influence but I couldn't. What film would you recommend to start with his filmography?
That movie is heavy heavy heavy.
His films are often not easy, but they do feel very real.
Perhaps Faces would be a good start.
A very independent film.
Also, the documentary about him called "A Constant Forge" may help you get a sense of him, his angle, techniques, goals, etc. and that might help.