"I've always lived the showing of a Cassavetes' movie with great participation, like an experience too intimate to be communicated, a mixed of intense excitement and intense pain. A piece of reality that slips out of the screen and that, suddenly, gives you the sensation of being alive. It was something else from Ford or even from Nicholas Ray. It was nor the astonishment in front of writing self-confidence and fullness, neither the tension of fragility and power: it was an anomalous wave that streamed through the entire film. A force rather than a shape, a gesture rather than a writing. The style, without any doubt."
--Thierry Jousse, John Cassavetes

John Cassavetes died in the early months of 1989. He was only 60 years old. By that time, Independent movies were beginning to get out of the closet and walking the Academy Awards carpet. He made only 12 movies, but he left a enduring legacy that is as strong today as it was when he began in the late fifties. These pages are not intended as definite or too intellectual (I don't think he would have been pleased), just a compendium or a guide. There are many books better written and many essays that can explain what I can't. I'm not good at words. My only purpose is to direct those who has the curiosity or the will to discover a pivotal figure in cinema history. I don't want to explain John Cassavetes to you, you have to discover him by yourself. Live it within your body and let it get under your skin: that's the greatest lesson we have to learn from him. If you love cinema you must know him, if not it's a good opportunity to find something quite different from the present cinematography. The only way to know the man is to watch his movies and read his words. He loved his craft and he loved to talk about it. He had a great respect for us, the people, never considered a way to profit - that was never the point, money. You can start from here, prepare to be challenged by this man and his vision of life, love and freedom. If you'll find yourself intriguing, stimulating or just moved by the images you'll see, you'll be rewarded and probably eager to see more. He just did a dozen of movies, so savor them slow and in depth. Remember that the experience might be unpleasant and terrific at the same time, because you'll be forced to ask yourself unanswered questions. But, as he would say, "Well, kid - if it was easy, anyone could do it."