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Quote by Ava DuVernay

“Most of us think prison is a place where bad people go - which is what I thought for a long time - until you really start to look inside the system and you see, this is not right.”

Quote by Ava DuVernay

Author

Ava DuVernay is an American filmmaker recognized for her contributions to independent cinema, particularly for her films that delve into African American history and culture. Born on August 24, 1972, DuVernay has directed several significant films, including 'Middle of Nowhere' and '13th', which have been praised for their narrative depth and social commentary. more

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“We're living based on laws and ideas that we, as a society, embraced back in the days of slavery.”

Ideas Law Slavery

Author:Ava DuVernay

“By the end of the documentary [ '13th'], you really understand what prison is, what the prison industrial complex is, where this whole Black Lives Matter movement comes from, the history of resistance, the history of how politicians have used criminality over the decades for a particular political gain. It's to give people an understanding of it so they can make their own decisions about how they want to be in the world.”

“Because my mom always told me that I could. From a very early age, I felt comfortable leading.”

Age Felt Mom Comfortable My Mom My Mom Always Told Me

Author:Ava DuVernay

“I did not have any problem with speaking up because my mother, my family, my grandmother, my aunt - I grew up in a family dominated by women - always encouraged me to do so. And if a girl is unafraid, then the world is her oyster.”

Ifs World Problem Mother Girl Grew Grew Up My Family Grandmother My Grandmother Aunt Oysters Unafraid Speaking Up

Author:Ava DuVernay

“I've passed along some advice that Oprah [Winfrey] gave to me: When something bad is happening, it's not happening to you; it's happening for you.”

Advice Happenings

Author:Ava DuVernay

“It's very nourishing and collaborative - kind of the true essence of what one would want an artistic collaboration to be [the collaboration with Oprah Winfrey].”

Want Kind Essence Artistic Collaboration

Author:Ava DuVernay

“I'm a huge Dirty Dancing fan. I feel like I should be reading [William] Shakespeare, but I'm watching Baby not be in a corner.”

Feels Should Reading Fans Huge Baby Dancing Corners Dirty

Author:Ava DuVernay

“I'm not the most athletic gal, but because making a movie is very physical, I slow down on the Krispy Kreme and Ice Blendeds. I start to get leaner and more focused - like I'm going into a boxing match - because I'm about to really try to put this idea on its feet.”

Trying Ideas Feet Focused Ice Boxing Slow Down Athletic Gals Boxing Matches Krispy Kreme

Author:Ava DuVernay

“My parents [are my hero]. They've helped me be who I am.”

Parent Hero Who I Am My Hero

Author:Ava DuVernay

“I start my day with a mind, body, soul practice - yoga, pilates or meditation.”

Mind Soul Body Practice Meditation Yoga Pilates Mind Body

Author:Donna Karan