Justin Bartha Quotes

As I got older, with my work, I became aware of the responsibility of film, and I feel one of the best ways I can apply myself as an actor, is to go beyond movie stardom and celebrity.

I still feel that a movie has to attempt to say something - even if it fails miserably. But I've sort of given up on believing that I'm going to change the world with every film I choose to act in.

Ever since the Greek tragedies, artists have, from time to time, asked themselves how they might influence ongoing political events.

The role of art in society differs for every artist.

I really do believe that was what I was put on this planet to do: to give to people and, through my performances, show them another world - in the case of '24,' to show them what a politician, black or white, should be. Basically, I wanted to be a service to others.

I like the feeling that I'm on the right side of history.

I do have a responsibility, but I would make the most boring films in the world if I woke up every morning worrying about my social responsibility.

As artists, our primary function is not to be educators - but we are at a time in history, where for us, our history needs to give context for stories that we hope to tell down the road.

Whether I act or direct I ensure that there is a social message attached.

I think there is a value in leaving the world a little better off, and movies can do that in a minor way.

At this point, in 2008, if you put out a book, a movie, or write a verse, paint a painting, it should have some sort of social value.

Anytime you can be a part of something that hopefully tries to make a cultural contribution, I love the idea of that.

The notion of artistic responsibility begs questions with no satisfactory conclusions, the most inevitable and ineffectual being that we should just keep thinking and talking about it, given that the alternative - a governmental body monitoring the movies we make and see - is unacceptable.

Fashion is an expression of a time, of a place, of history. It's putting things into context.

First of all there is always that artistic challenge of creating something. Or the particular experience to take slum life in that period and make something out of it in the form of a book. And then I felt some kind of responsibility to my family.

It is not enough to show people how to live better: there is a mandate for any group with enormous powers of communication to show people how to be better.

People always want to be on the right side of history; it is a lot easier to say, 'What an atrocity that was' then it is to say, 'What an atrocity this is.'

Art never harms itself by keeping aloof from the social problems of the day: rather, by so doing, it more completely realises for us that which we desire.

No matter what your mission is, have some notion in your head. Forget the model, whether it's government or nonprofit or profit. Ask yourself the more important question: Is my mission improving the world? Are you sure about it? Seek to disconfirm that all the time. And if you can, change your mission.

I'm used to my films having little effect on making the world a better place.

The best songs/films/collections expose truths about life and make them universally accessible; they progress humanity.

Not all our movies have a social message, but I love the ones that do, and I'd love to do more of them.

I have always taken up films that I like. And in the process if I have done films which bring out something that could do society good, I think it's great.

I wanted to show the community you can build something here without having to raid taxpayers' dollars. What better way to show the community what we're all about, as a welcome to come to the Institute of Contemporary Art and be a part of what we're doing here?

Films like 'Satyamev Jayate' help in getting some distributors and financiers for films like 'Gali Guleiyan' which give me a lot of satisfaction.