The Fabelmans (2022)

David Lynch: John Ford

Photos 

Quotes 

• John Ford : When the horizon's at the bottom, it's interesting. When the horizon's at the top, it's interesting. When the horizon's in the middle, it's boring as shit. Now, good luck to you. And get the fuck out of my office!

• John Ford : They tell me you want to become a picture maker. What do you know about art, kid?

• John Ford : They tell me you wanna be a picture maker.

  Sammy Fabelman : Uh... yes sir, I do.

  John Ford : Why? This business, it'll rip you apart.

  Sammy Fabelman : Well... Mr. Ford, I...

  John Ford : So, what do you know about art, kid?

  Sammy Fabelman : [struggles to think of an answer]  I just- I love your movies so much...

  John Ford : [cuts him off]  No, art.

  [points to a painting of two cowboys] 

  John Ford : See that painting over there?

  Sammy Fabelman : [looks]  Uh, yeah- I mean, yes... yes, I do see it.

  John Ford : Walk over to it.

  [Sammy approaches the painting and looks back at John] 

  John Ford : Well? What's in it? Describe it.

  Sammy Fabelman : [feeling relieved]  Oh, okay! So, there are two guys and they're on horseback... and they're looking for something, so maybe they're scouting...

  John Ford : No. No. Where's the horizon?

  Sammy Fabelman : The horizon?

  John Ford : Where is it?

  Sammy Fabelman : It's at the bottom.

  John Ford : That's right.

  [points to another painting] 

  John Ford : Walk over to this painting.

  [Sammy does so] 

  John Ford : Well?

  Sammy Fabelman : Right, okay, so there are five cowboys...

  John Ford : No no no no no! Where's the goddamn horizon?

  Sammy Fabelman : [pointing to the top]  Um, it's- it's there!

  John Ford : Where?

  Sammy Fabelman : [panicked]  At the top of the painting!

  John Ford : Alright, get over here!

  [Sammy walks back to the front of the desk] 

  John Ford : Now, remember this. When the horizon's at the bottom, it's interesting. When the horizon's at the top, it's interesting. When the horizon's in the middle, it's boring as shit! Now, good luck to you... and get the fuck out of my office!

  Sammy Fabelman : [Sammy walks out the room; later, he pokes back in through the doorway]  Thank you.

  John Ford : [smiling]  My pleasure.