François Truffaut (6 February 1932 – 21 October 1984) was a French film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film critic, as well as one of the founders of the French New Wave.
“One makes films because one desires to fit things together, to make people meet each other, and to create situations. It’s like a child with a Meccano set, or a child telling himself a story that might perhaps interest others later on. But it’s a game. If someone believes that they have got a lot of important things to tell the public, they shouldn't make films. They should say them directly.”
I asked Truffaut whether he felt that the indirect communication which he prescribes is akin to lying. “Direct truth is not interesting. If one is alone and is talking to many people, as in a film, lying is necessary. In a conversation between two people you can tell the truth. You can also manipulate the person you are talking to; but conversation should democratic. In a speech or a film you cannot be democratic because you are outnumbered. Manipulation is necessary. In any case, the cinema is a game for the person making it and the people watching it. Implicit in the rules of this game are the notions of lying and manipulation.”
Excerpt from Through Parisian Eye [PDF]
