I just asked myself, what piece of that man’s soul did he just chew off and swallow to get next week’s assignment? You know, just to live, just to work as an artist, or to feed the family?
Meaning of the quote
This quote by Canadian director Paul Haggis is about the struggles artists face to make a living. He's asking what sacrifices an artist has to make just to survive, whether it's working on an assignment, making art, or providing for their family. Haggis wonders how much of an artist's inner self they have to give up or "chew off and swallow" to get by in the world.
About Paul Haggis
Paul Haggis is a renowned Canadian screenwriter, film producer, and director who has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards and two Emmys. He is best known for writing and producing the Best Picture Oscar winners ‘Million Dollar Baby’ and ‘Crash’, the latter of which he also directed. Haggis has worked on various other acclaimed films and TV shows throughout his illustrious career.
More quotes from Paul Haggis
The wonderful thing about Clint is you can never second guess how he is going to react to anything.
Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director
We give you characters we’d feel very comfortable judging, and then go: ‘Oh yeah? Watch this’.
Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director
I like to write about things about which I have no answers, questions that trouble me. These things trouble me.
Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director
We all have these tendencies in us that could go this way or that. I think that’s the real key in writing. To look at a character without judgment.
Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director
Unless I’m really uneasy with what I’m writing, I lose interest very quickly.
Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director
I was trying to talk about where we are right now as a society, and talk about the fear we all live in, and certainly since 9-11, how it’s affected us and the world.
Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director
I don’t think it’s the job of filmmakers to give anybody answers. I do think, though, that a good film makes you ask questions of yourself as you leave the theatre.
Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director
As a general rule, I don’t plan to travel with my Oscars, but we may have to make an exception.
Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director
I just asked myself, what piece of that man’s soul did he just chew off and swallow to get next week’s assignment? You know, just to live, just to work as an artist, or to feed the family?
Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director
We’re trying to reinvent Bond. He’s 28 – no Q, no gadgets.
Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director
I miss my mother very, very much.
Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director