Tim Burton celebrates his 68th birthday on August 25. The director and screenwriter is known as the «master of dark fairy tales».

Burton’s films are instantly recognizable from the very first frames: gloomy sets, eccentric characters, black humor, a touch of absurdity, themes of death, and heroes who seem to have accidentally found themselves in a world that is completely foreign to them.

Today, the director is regarded as the king of Gothic cinema. His filmography includes more than 25 feature films and 13 shorts, while his best-known works include «Beetlejuice», «Batman», «Edward Scissorhands», «Sleepy Hollow», «Charlie and the Chocolate Factory», «Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street», «Alice in Wonderland» and the series «Wednesday».

Burton’s love of dark stories began in childhood. Tim was born in Burbank in August 1958. His parents owned a small business called Cats Plus, a shop selling cat-themed goods. The family lived comfortably, but that did little to make the future director’s childhood any less gloomy.

While other children played outside, Burton chose a very different place for his walks. Instead of running around with the neighborhood kids, he would head to Valhalla Cemetery, not far from his family home.

There, the boy would sit on the graves and talk to himself about death, the dead and the difficult fate of gravediggers. When his parents discovered these excursions, they were horrified. To stop their son from escaping to the cemetery, they even boarded up the windows of his room, leaving only a small opening.

As a result, Burton’s childhood became even more secluded. He spent much of his time in his room, drawing his own strange characters and inventing entire worlds for them. Those drawings would later become a kind of foundation for his distinctive artistic style.

Burton began his career as an animator at Disney. He later created his own unmistakable cinematic universe, where darkness coexists effortlessly with humor, and Gothic aesthetics blend with fairy-tale elements. His characters became part of pop culture, while Burton himself became one of the few directors whose style can be recognized from just a handful of frames.

That is why, on his 68th birthday, we are looking back at some of the director’s most interesting quotes.

On himself

«I was always misunderstood. You know, I could dress up as a clown and laugh along with a cheerful crowd, and people would still say I was a gloomy guy.»

«I liked thinking that I perceived everything differently from other people.»

«If I had a choice between going to a meeting with studio executives or changing diapers, I would choose the diapers.»

«They told me you can’t kill Jack Nicholson. So I had to give him two roles and kill him twice.»

On cinema

«Making movies is an expensive form of therapy for me.»

«You have to feel like you’re creating the greatest masterpiece, even if it’s complete nonsense.»

«Actually, I don’t have a single film that would fit the classic «horror movie» category. And that’s rather funny, because I probably prefer that genre to all the others.»

«I think the ending will feel much more life-affirming if the audience is left to work it out for themselves. Artificial happy endings have always seemed like a form of psychosis to me.»

On freedom

«When you don’t have too many friends, you feel a strange kind of freedom.»

«Madness is, in some terrible way, the greatest freedom available to a person, because then they are no longer confined by the boundaries of society.»

On Hollywood and technology

«In Hollywood, they think hand-drawn animation is no longer needed and that everything should be done by computers. Pixar makes its animated films using computers, and everyone else tries to copy them. Everyone relies on technology and forgets about the artists.»

Photo: Depositphotos, Instagram @timburton

Today, when pop culture sets the pace of information, Liia reminds us how essential it is to listen to classical music – especially Ukrainian classical music – and to keep this heritage alive. Her path is made not only of competitions and concert halls: the talented young pianist performs in military hospitals for soldiers, supports charitable initiatives, and shows, vividly and sincerely, that music as an art form can be both light and solace at once.

Despite the seriousness of her artistic calling, Liia carries a special inner warmth – a belief in miracles, in the power of goodness, and in the ability of music and its catharsis to uplift the soul and restore harmony with the universe and with other people. On the eve of the holidays, Liya shares her dreams and reflections with THEINSIDER.AT – thoughts about a future she helps create with such ease and heartfelt sincerity.

Liia, you’re so young, yet an impressive artistic path already stretches before you – competitions, concerts, charitable performances. What does music mean to you now? And how does it change as you change?

As Gogol said: «If even music leaves us, what will become of our world?». For me, music is a way to speak about what matters – without words. It often sounds in a minor key, and that’s understandable: we all live in difficult times. Yet even the sorrowful works of Bach or Mozart always leave a trace of light. For me, minor is also the music of hope.

You perform in military hospitals for veterans. What do you feel in those moments? Do these encounters influence your playing and your repertoire?

To do good is, for me, a conscious choice to remain human. Next to the veterans, I feel deep gratitude, and at the same time, a desire to be of use, to help in the way I can. When I see that my music brings them joy, relief, or inspiration, I understand that I played for a reason. These moments strongly influence my inner world – and the works I choose to perform next.

This year has been very intense for you: victories, new acquaintances, projects. What «new summits», as adult musicians say, would you like to reach next year?

2025 was truly overflowing with events: many travels, international and Ukrainian competitions, new encounters with talented and inspiring people. But my goal remains unchanged – to move forward and to win. I am currently preparing for an important international competition. That is my next «summit», the one I want to climb and overcome.

Which European composers are closest to your heart and why? And which Ukrainian composers should everyone know and listen to?

I adore Chopin – for me, he is the «soul of the piano». His music holds much pain and often deep longing, yet it remains filled with extraordinary light. Mozart is another of my favorites. He seems to speak in simple language, yet each note holds a depth that not everyone – neither his contemporaries nor ours – is able to grasp or convey. His music may seem easy to the listener, but for a pianist it is always a challenge – Mozart is unpredictable and profoundly honest.

Among Ukrainian composers, I want to highlight Yevhen Stankovych. His works are often performed at the National Philharmonic of Ukraine, and the recent premiere of his Requiem left an unforgettable impression on me. In this music, joy and sorrow, light and grief, rebirth and death coexist – and yet the overall tone is unexpectedly life-affirming.

I am also deeply drawn to the work of contemporary composer Ivan Nebesnyy. I especially love his dedication to violinist Bohdana Pivnenko, as well as his music for The Nutcracker. It sounds somewhat unusual, but it is a fresh, powerful modern reimagining – one that absolutely deserves attention. And I am inspired by the music of the talented Ukrainian composer Zoltan Almashi, especially his Seasons – they are profound and vividly expressive.

I also want to mention the titans of Ukrainian musical culture – Vasyl Barvinskyi, Borys Lyatoshynsky, and Borys Kudryk. Their legacy is unique, and we should speak of it far more often. Despite the difficult times in which they composed, their music is filled with inner light. This is the foundation that everyone must know and hear.

Every musician has sources of inspiration – people who support them and give strength to create. Whom would you name as your own inspirers?

Yes, there are people who truly inspire me! For instance, Natalka Stets, the musical director of the Kyiv Philharmonic. She is not only an outstanding conductor – a rarity both here and worldwide – but also an exceptional leader who creates new opportunities for young musicians.

Looking beyond music, I admire Olya Kompaniyets – her civic stance and the beauty she brings into the world.

But my greatest inspiration is the 204th Tactical Aviation Brigade and the Hero of Ukraine, pilot Vadym Voroshylov. Their courage awakens strength – and the desire to create.

In your opinion, who in your generation represents the future of Ukrainian classical music?

The future of Ukrainian music – its very core – will be shaped, in my opinion, by children and teenagers who, despite all the hardships of our time, have remained in Ukraine, continue to study, perform, and, of course, dream. If we speak of specific names, I believe strongly in pianist Andrii Zakhodiakin – he has a uniquely sensitive musical outlook. I also want to highlight the Feduriak brothers, incredibly talented pianists, and violinist Pavlo Uliianchenko.

And – if I may joke a little – I hope there will be a place for me in this future as well! (smiles)

You have spoken very warmly about pianist Andrii Zakhodiakin. What exactly fascinates you about his playing?

Yes, I value Andrii very highly. I am convinced that he is a future world star. When he sits at the instrument, it feels as though he is conversing directly with the composer: he immerses himself completely in the music and leads the listener with him. He never puts his own «self» before the work – and that impresses me most.

What mood accompanies you as the holidays approach? Do you have festive dreams?

My dreams are always actions. If you desire something, you must work toward it. The greatest wish uniting millions of Ukrainians is peace. And I wish everyone true Christmas Miracles! I embrace everyone sincerely – with my music.