"What critics call dirty in our pictures, they call lusty in foreign films"
- Billy Wilder
About this Quote
This quote by Billy Wilder is a commentary on the double requirements of film critics. Wilder is suggesting that when American movies include scenes that are deemed "unclean" or unsuitable, they are harshly criticized. However, when foreign films include similar scenes, they are praised for their "lusty" nature. Wilder is indicating that the very same scenes are judged differently depending on the origin of the movie. This quote is a reflection of the cultural biases that exist in the movie market. Wilder is pointing out that foreign movies are frequently provided more leniency when it comes to material, while American films are held to a higher requirement. This quote is a suggestion that we need to know our own biases and strive to be more unbiased when it comes to films from different cultures.
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