Irvin Kershner Quotes
Born: April 29, 1923
Irvin Kershner, best known for directing *The Empire Strikes Back*, was a visionary filmmaker whose true genius lay in pushing creative and technical boundaries. For Kershner, innovation was never about technology for its own sake, but about serving a deeper human story. He believed that constraints, not limitless freedom, sparked the most profound breakthroughs. His philosophy—that true mastery comes from understanding rules well enough to break them with purpose—resonates deeply with today’s innovators and tech leaders. Kershner’s quotes inspire us to embrace risk, trust our instincts, and remember that the most elegant solutions are born from relentless curiosity and a willingness to fail forward. His legacy is a masterclass in leading with both heart and intellect.
Irvin Kershner Quotes (9)
"There's nothing more interesting than the landscape of the human face."
— Irvin Kershner"I have not been a follower of how many millions my films made or did not make."
— Irvin Kershner"In the last ten years of watching films I have found that some of the foreign films I saw affected me most. One American film that stands out for me for its workmanship and artistry is 'Ratatouille.' It was an astonishing effort in filmmaking."
— Irvin Kershner"It's a matter of pride to me to get the film done fast, to get it done well. I understand the need for compromise. There is no such thing as a perfect shot, a perfect film. The purpose of film is not to make a monument to oneself."
— Irvin Kershner"I have not given much credence to reviews of my films. Sometimes they're wrong, but it didn't matter to me."
— Irvin Kershner"Film is a window to the real world but a lie that makes you believe the unbelievable."
— Irvin Kershner"I love my early movies, but naturalism is an artist's early style. Now I want to deal with feelings, dreams, an acceptance of irrationality."
— Irvin Kershner"I want films to haunt an audience, to give them something to remember and be able to talk about."
— Irvin Kershner"After 'The Empire Strikes Back,' I got to make big films that I didn't care about, 'Never Say Never Again' and 'RoboCop 2,' and then I got too old."
— Irvin Kershner