John Cassavetes is the godfather of American independent cinema, saluted by virtually every US maverick who's followed in his stead, from Martin Scorsese to Sean Penn. Since his death in 1989, Cassavetes has become increasingly renowned as a cinematic hero - a loner who fought against the iniquities of the Hollywood system, steering his own creative course in a career spanning thirty years. Having first established himself as an actor, he bravely struck out on his own as a director in 1959 with Shadows, and proceeded to build up a formidable body of work. His major films include Faces, Woman Under the Influence, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, Opening Night and Gloria. These unforgettable works are driven and distinguished by Cassavetes' collaboration with actors of the calibre of Gene Rowlands, Ben Gazzara and Peter Falk, Professor Ray Carney, a friend and admirer of Cassavetes, now presents a volume that offers us Cassavetes in his own words - frank, uncompromising, humane, and passionate about both life and art.