Quotes by Viggo Mortensen

In principle, I think the idea of rewarding a good effort is interesting, but movies are generally different from each other as are performances and the conditions on how the performances are given and how theyre edited and so forth.

I like the detail work of telling a story in small pieces, as is done in movie-making, and also the long leap of faith needed to see a theatre performance through each night. Both require focus and self-discipline.

You know, real life doesnt just suddenly resolve itself. You have to keep working at it. Democracy, marriage, friendship. You cant just say, Shes my best friend. Thats not a given, its a process.

When I make a movie, I dont break it down and analyze it. I could but it would get in the way of doing a job - on instinct based on all the research we did going in. you want to trust yourself and your director and your acting partners in the circumstances youre shooting. I dont like to have any kind of overview.

Its true that I have a wide range of interests. I like to write and paint and make music and go walking on my own and garden. In fact, gardening is probably what I enjoy doing more than anything else.

Theres no excuse to be bored. Sad, yes. Angry, yes. Depressed, yes. Crazy, yes. But theres no excuse for boredom, ever.

I know I said I wanted to live forever and I would never be bored, but the reality is, its probably kind of sad to live forever if youre the only one sticking around.

On a practical level, poetry isnt something anybody has really made a great living at. I might sell some books and, once in a while, someone might pay to hear me read.

Photography, painting or poetry - those are just extensions of me, how I perceive things; they are my way of communicating.

I have a publishing company of books by me and books of others. It drew people to poetry readings and photo exhibitions and painting exhibitions that Ive been doing for years before that.

Like most people I can be lazy, so its nice to have a goal or deadline or reason to work out. I feel better when I get to exercise, or when Im outdoors. I like to hike, swim and run, and I love to play soccer.