The authors of the book are people whose lives are closely connected with cinema, so the dilemma described by the words “you can’t leave” is both a subject of professional interest for them and part of their own existence. The book opens with 20 real stories told by famous and emerging representatives creative professions in cinema - directors, screenwriters, producers, editors, cameramen, editing directors, etc. All the stories are different and very frank: about pitfalls in the film profession, dead ends and moments of despair when you give up, and about what supports allow you to survive dark time and move on. The experience of living through crises and personal strategies for overcoming them are invaluable in their own way and give the reader the opportunity to draw important conclusions for themselves. The second part of the book includes a detailed analysis of the dynamics of the psychological states of a person working in cinema: from the confusion and delight of a beginner to the deep crisis of an experienced and recognized master . Creative burnout, traumatic experience of failure, lack of recognition in the context of the film industry with its specifics - all this is a reason to put an end to the word “quit.” Finally, in the third part, the authors give readers those answers for which, among other things, everyone should read this book who want to stay in the profession or are just thinking about a career in cinema or another creative field.