“When I was very young, I remember my mother telling me about a friend of hers in Germany, a pianist who played a symphony that wasn't permitted, and the Germans came up on stage and broke every finger on her hands. I grew up with stories of Nazis breaking the fingers of Jews.”

American filmmaker, born 1946. He is best known for directing groundbreaking blockbuster films that blend spectacle with emotional depth, including *Jaws*, *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*, and *Schindler’s List*. His work has redefined storytelling in cinema, influencing generations of filmmakers.