"And yet because of my attempt at sincerity I have been condemned, hooted at, reviled; filthy rumors have been circulated about me, not about my characterizations but about me personally, my private self"

This quote by Erich von Stroheim shows the extreme truth of the entertainment industry. Despite his genuine effort to create significant art, he has been consulted with criticism and ridicule. Individuals have spread out malicious reports about him, not about his work, but about him as a person. This quote speaks to the power of popular opinion and how it can be used to take apart someone's reputation. It likewise speaks to the trouble of being an artist in a world that frequently values entertainment over artistry. Von Stroheim's quote is a tip that art is often consulted with resistance and that it takes nerve to continue creating despite the criticism. It is a pointer that art is a form of self-expression and that it should be appreciated and appreciated.