A movie isn't a political movement, a party or even an article. It's just a film. At best it can add its voice to public outrage.

Maybe if we tell the truth about the past, we can tell the truth about the present.

The duty of a film director is to focus more on the soul of the spectator.

About Thatcher's death: Let's privatise her funeral. Put it out on competetive tender and accept the cheapest bid. That's what she would have wanted.

The most depressing thing is the political slogan: there is no alternative. But there is.

A film is one small voice among other large ones. The film is a tiny part of the discourse. You do what you can but under no illusions of what a film can do.

One lesson to learn is that the press and the broadcasters are not neutral. And it seems we have to learn it each time there is a dispute: they are actually committed to one side.

Shaping it is something I would expect to do together with a writer, because that's a director's job.

You'll get unsociable people whatever the nationality, colour, race or creed. I guess the British abroad have probably got the worst record of anyone.

What's good about growth? Why is it intrinsically good?

Their dad was the god of thieves, but they were about a stealthy as water buffalos.

Watch every detail that affects the accuracy of your work.

I love healthy stuff and junk an equal amount. Whatever I'm craving, I go for it. I'm never trying to lose weight - or gain it. I'm just being.

Advertising beauty products is easy. All you have to do is revile your customers by creating a disease called getting older, and then provide a remedy which does not work.

I'm not a big one for jokes. I can't tell a joke, believe it or not. If you gave me a thousand bucks and said, "Don, get up at a party and tell a joke," I'm the worst.

They say that "he who flies highest, falls farthest" - and who am I to argue? But we can't forget that "he who doesn't flap his wings, never flies at all".

That's the thing about being an artist, you don't have to take anyone else's perspective into account. You can act as self-indulgent in your emotions as you want.

Ronald Reagan would have a hard time getting elected as a Republican today.

Death rides on every passing breeze, He lurks in every flower.