George Hickenlooper

Birthday: 25 May 1963, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Birth Name: George Loening Hickenlooper III

George Hickenlooper graduated from Yale University in 1986. He was born on May 25, 1963 in St. Louis, Missouri and raised there, Boston, and San Francisco. His interest in film began in childhood and ...Show More

I think that narrative, fiction filmmaking is the culmination of several art forms: theater, art his Show more I think that narrative, fiction filmmaking is the culmination of several art forms: theater, art history, architecture. Whereas doc filmmaking is more pure cinema, like cinema verite is film in its purest form. Hide

I always say be humble but be firm. Humility and openness are the key to success without compromisin Show more I always say be humble but be firm. Humility and openness are the key to success without compromising your beliefs. Hide

I'm fascinated by failure, and I'm fascinated by finality. Shakespeare's historical plays are more u Show more I'm fascinated by failure, and I'm fascinated by finality. Shakespeare's historical plays are more universal than his comedies because they relate to the finality of life. Without finality, life would not be beautiful. Hide

I was very inspired by Les Blank's film 'Burden of Dreams.' I think what's unique about his film and Show more I was very inspired by Les Blank's film 'Burden of Dreams.' I think what's unique about his film and the two I've made is that they're close examinations of filmmakers and how their own emotional experiences reflect in the material they're rendering, and vice versa - how that material sometimes colors their own lives. Hide

Simon Monjack had nothing to do with 'Factory Girl.' He filed a frivolous lawsuit against us... maki Show more Simon Monjack had nothing to do with 'Factory Girl.' He filed a frivolous lawsuit against us... making bogus claims that we had stolen his script. He held us literally to hostage and we were forced to settle with him as he held our production over a barrel. Hide

There's been a vacuum with movies that people can relate to. There's been a paucity of dramas that p Show more There's been a vacuum with movies that people can relate to. There's been a paucity of dramas that people can relate to. I think audiences are clamoring to connect - particularly after 9/11 - with things that are genuine and real and I think documentaries are filling that need. Hide

As a filmmaker I find it much more rewarding to work with actors who are classically trained. It's a Show more As a filmmaker I find it much more rewarding to work with actors who are classically trained. It's about the work and only the work. Hide

Most people, 95% of people, are good people. It's the 5% who get seduced by power. Most people, 95% of people, are good people. It's the 5% who get seduced by power.

I'm very strongly in favor of the auteur theory. I'm very strongly in favor of the auteur theory.

Kelly Preston is a remarkable human being and a great dramatic actress. It was a privilege as a dire Show more Kelly Preston is a remarkable human being and a great dramatic actress. It was a privilege as a director to tap into this part of her. Rarely do I make a kind of spiritual connection with my cast. Kelly was a wonderful exception. She is truly very special and I adore her. Hide

There's something unique about the United States, a sense of individual rights and freedoms, and a s Show more There's something unique about the United States, a sense of individual rights and freedoms, and a sense of social and civic responsibility that we contributed to so much of the world. We lost that mission in the 1980s and 1990s, when we entered a gilded age, and the culture of individualism became a culture of avarice. Hide

Generally in my films like 'Hearts of Darkness' or 'Picture This,' I try not to make myself a presen Show more Generally in my films like 'Hearts of Darkness' or 'Picture This,' I try not to make myself a presence in the film. Hide

I love the grandiosity of Hollywood movies, and even in independents, I love the canvas you can tell Show more I love the grandiosity of Hollywood movies, and even in independents, I love the canvas you can tell your story on. I love fiction filmmaking, you really feel like you're creating something. Hide

George Hickenlooper's FILMOGRAPHY

All as Actor (4) as Director (4) as Creator (1)

Mayor of the Sunset Strip