When I was in film school I had this great professor, Jerzy Antczak, a Polish filmmaker, and Joe Russo of the Russo Brothers were in my class. It was this kind of Easter European philosophy of motivating camera only through character and motions, and just exploring with lenses. That was the best year of my education in my life.

The quote by Justin Lin reflects on his formative experiences in film school and the influence of his mentors and peers. Lin highlights the impact of his professor, Jerzy Antczak, a Polish filmmaker, and fellow student Joe Russo of the Russo Brothers. He emphasizes that the lessons learned during this period shaped his approach to cinematography and storytelling, underscoring the importance of mentorship and collaboration in creative education.

Lin describes the Eastern European philosophy of filmmaking, which emphasizes motivating the camera through character and motion rather than relying solely on technical setups. This approach encourages exploration and creativity, teaching students to use lenses to express emotion, narrative, and perspective. By focusing on character-driven cinematography, filmmakers learn to tell stories visually in a more organic and expressive way.

The origin of this statement comes from Lin’s experience as a film student and director, who has gone on to create popular films in the Fast & Furious franchise and other projects. His reflection highlights the lasting influence of his education, showing how exposure to different philosophies of filmmaking can shape a director’s artistic vision and technical approach.

In essence, the quote emphasizes that mentorship, experimentation, and philosophy are crucial components of creative growth in filmmaking. Lin recalls his film school year as the best of his education, illustrating how immersive learning experiences and exposure to diverse approaches can leave a lasting mark on an artist’s career and methodology.