Cinema verité is not the film of truth, but the truth of film.

Glory to he who brings dispute.

He who on earth has lived in the conjugal state as he should live, will be placed among the Gods who dwell in heaven

There's nothing of any importance in life — except how well you do your work. Nothing. Only that. Whatever else you are, will come from that. It's the only measure of human value.

Commerce is the cure for the most destructive prejudices.

Atheism leads to numerous absurdities promoted by otherwise intelligent people.

My advice to first time filmmakers is believe in yourself and the message you want to give in the film you are making.

The only weapons I ever had were my cello and my baton.

My scare value is high. My arena is controversy. My tough front is my biggest asset.

Nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise. They're absolutely free and worth a fortune

prayer is nothing more than thought. It is a yearning of the heart.

I introduced myself to Scorsese and I said, "If you need someone to do craft services, I'm there."