"What's really exciting for me is communicating to other people and not just going somewhere to make a movie. That's Hollywood to me and it would mean nothing"

Alejandro Amenabar’s words reflect a deep personal philosophy about the purpose and value of filmmaking. Instead of viewing movies simply as a product or a ticket to fame, associations often tied to Hollywood, he emphasizes the act of communication as the core of his excitement and creative drive. For Amenabar, the magic and fulfillment of cinema lies not in the mechanics of production or geographic location but in the opportunity to forge a genuine connection with audiences. His statement points to a distinction between filmmaking as an artistic endeavor and the more commercial, industrial aspect sometimes associated with Hollywood.

He regards the mere act of making a movie, especially in a system like Hollywood’s, as potentially empty if it lacks authentic engagement with viewers. Success, then, is not measured by box office numbers or red-carpet appearances, but by the ability to transmit ideas, emotions, and stories to others. This suggests a vision of cinema rooted in empathy, where the filmmaker becomes a conduit between their inner world and that of the audience. Meaning arises not from the prestige of the industry, but from the shared human experience enabled by storytelling.

Furthermore, Amenabar’s perspective challenges the notion that working in Hollywood is the ultimate aspiration for a filmmaker. Instead, he implicitly suggests that filmmakers should focus on their message and how it is received by their audience, rather than striving for external recognition. This approach aligns with a more auteur-driven view of cinema, where individual vision and communication trump commercial considerations. Ultimately, his statement champions sincerity in artistic communication over the superficial trappings of the industry, encouraging both filmmakers and viewers to seek substance, depth, and honest connection in the cinematic experience. In essence, Amenabar expresses a longing for meaningful dialogue over mere spectacle, placing human connection at the very heart of filmmaking.