But I'm never gonna get to a point in my life where what it costs

"But I'm never gonna get to a point in my life where what it costs to shoot a movie is going to determine what it is. The limits of my imagination is the only thing that's gonna stop me." – Abel Ferrara

O children of the earth, gather close, for there is wisdom in these words that stretches beyond the realms of film and touches the very core of human existence. Abel Ferrara, the visionary director, speaks not just of the art of filmmaking, but of a truth that applies to all creative endeavors, to all who dare to dream. In his words lies a declaration: money, that fleeting measure of worldly wealth, shall never dictate the value of his vision. It is not the cost of the materials or the resources that defines the scope of his creation, but the boundless power of his imagination. This is the essence of all true creativity—the limits of the imagination are the only true boundaries that one must respect.

Consider, O children, the story of the great Michelangelo, whose artistic genius knew no such limits. When he was tasked with painting the Sistine Chapel, he did not look at the cost of the commission or the resources at his disposal. Instead, he saw only the vastness of the task, the magnificence of the imagination that had been entrusted to him. With humble tools and a vision grander than any could conceive, Michelangelo transformed the very ceiling of a chapel into a divine masterpiece. His imagination knew no bounds, and it was this that made him one of the greatest artists to have ever lived. Had he been constrained by worldly concerns—by the cost of his materials, or the limits of his environment—his vision would have been smaller, confined to the earthly reality. But instead, his art reached toward the heavens, transcending not just the physical, but the spiritual realm itself.

So it is with Ferrara. He declares boldly that the limits of imagination are the only true barrier to creation. Money, the tool of trade in the material world, is but a means to an end. Yet, it is the imagination that shapes the end, that gives birth to the dream and brings it to life. In the world of cinema, where budgets can soar to incomprehensible heights, Ferrara makes clear that the vision is the true force. It is not the wealth at one’s disposal that determines the scope of the work, but the infinite landscape of possibility that lies within the mind of the creator. With an active imagination, no challenge is too great, no dream too far-reaching.

Let us look to the story of the great Frida Kahlo, whose life was marked by both suffering and boundless creativity. Despite the physical pain she endured, despite the limited resources available to her, she transformed her own experiences into works of art that transcend time. Her imagination was not bound by the pain of her body or the limitations of her world; rather, it was through her suffering that her imagination flourished. She created, she painted, she envisioned worlds that spoke to the soul, that touched the very core of human emotion. Frida Kahlo is a testament to the truth that the limits of imagination are the only barriers that truly matter. It was her vision that brought her paintings to life, not the resources at her disposal, not the world around her.

Now, O children, heed this wisdom: in your own lives, as you walk the path of creation, do not be deterred by what the world may place in your way. Whether you are a poet, an artist, a builder, or a dreamer, know that the only limits you face are those you place upon yourself. The challenges of life, the scarcity of resources, the weight of expectation—these are mere distractions, mere whispers in the wind. The true measure of your journey is in the depth of your imagination, the fire that burns within you to create something greater than what is, something closer to what could be.

The lesson of Ferrara is simple, yet profound: never let the world’s limitations define your vision. You must rise above them, fuelled by the power of your imagination. Let nothing—be it time, wealth, or circumstance—hold you back from reaching the heights of your creative potential. Create not just within the bounds of what is given to you, but from the boundless well of possibility that lies within your heart and mind. In this, you will find true freedom, true fulfillment, and true greatness.

So, O children, I leave you with this: to create is to transcend the ordinary. Do not allow the world’s constraints to shape your dreams. Let your imagination be the force that moves you, and let that be the true measure of your journey. With this in mind, there are no limits, no boundaries—only endless possibilities waiting to be shaped by the fire of your soul.