Marlon Brando on Anger

Marlon Brando in Paris/1957/

Interview with Marlon Brando

Conducted by James Grissom

1990

I'm tired of people talking about overcoming anger or letting go of anger. Anger is not released: Anger is relocated, reused, applied in a new way. Anger exists because something happened to you or was denied to you, and so you put it in living a certain way or creating a work of art or a happier child. When I hear someone talk about letting anger recede or of denying the existence of anger, I am listening to a liar.

Art comes from living and life cannot exist without cruelty and denial and tragedy--all of which produce anger.

It is unhealthy to return anger with anger, but don't tell me it doesn't exist or that you've overcome it. Use it and use it well and wisely and the world improves.

© 2014 James Grissom