'Taxi Driver' wasn't autobiographical in terms of the actual events, but I did draw on my own mental state.
Paul SchraderYou think it's a blessing to know what God wants? I'll tell you what he wants. He wants to push me over! Can't he see what's inside of me? All my sins.
Paul SchraderI was looking for people who didn't have any preconceptions about films, what I call the "post-rules" generation.
Paul SchraderAll these teachers and [screenwriting] books mean you see movies that have been worked over by more committees wielding more rules, that all originality and authorship is lost. That's why you're seeing superstars like Brad Pitt in THE FIGHT CLUB and Tom Cruise in MAGNOLIA. They're desperately searching for people writing and directing off-formula movies.
Paul Schrader